Sweet treats not tickets in Oamaru

If the police pull you over today you might get a tasty treat rather than a ticket.

For today only, the Oamaru police will be handing out hot cross buns to motorists along with a message about road safety.

But if you're caught speeding: Watch out.

Drivers of vehicles travelling at more than 4km/h over the posted speed limit could receive a speed infringement notice during the holiday period.

Oamaru senior sergeant Jason McCoy said the special checkpoint was part of a joint initiative between police, the Waitaki District Council, and PortFM to promote road safety at Easter.

"It's just to remind tired drivers to take breaks, as fatigue kills," he said.

Officers will be meeting at 10.45am at the Oamaru police station.

From there they will be setting up a police checkpoint in north Oamaru and handing out the buns and road safety pamphlets.

Police and the council will also be hosting a fatigue stop at Maheno from 6pm onwards where tired drivers will be able to pull over for a rest and some refreshments.

Police are expecting the roads into and around Central Otago and Southland to be extremely busy during the holiday period as people travel to and from holiday destinations.

The traffic volume will include a large number of people travelling to and from the Wanaka area to attend the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow from Good Friday through until Easter Sunday.

Mr McCoy said his staff would be focusing more on highway patrols when they were not busy with other duties in order to compensate for the increased traffic.

Acting Southern District road policing manager senior sergeant Steve Larking said police would be out and about in force monitoring traffic flows to do as much as possible to make sure everyone gets to their destination safely.

"We're asking all motorists to be courteous and considerate, holiday driving requires extra care and patience," he said.

The official holiday period starts at 4pm tomorrow and ends at 6am on Tuesday.

There will be a high police presence on the roads around Otago and Southland targeting speed, alcohol and poor driving practices, including inconsiderate driving where the traffic flow is impeded.

"It's important that if you're driving, you're alert to what is occurring around you, if there's traffic starting to build up behind you, there's no need to speed up," Mr Larking said.

"Look for somewhere safe to slow down before indicating to the left and slowing to allow vehicles behind you to pass."

During the Easter period last year, one person was killed, seven people were seriously injured and 17 people received minor injuries in crashes on Southland and Otago roads.

The fatality was the first in the period since 2003.

Nationally five people died on New Zealand roads at Easter 2011, with 135 reported injury crashes.

Southern Police will again be enforcing a lower speed tolerance.

Police will also be focusing on conducting alcohol and drug driving enforcement, including checkpoints.

They will be checking that drivers are wearing their safety belts, too.

"The message is to drink responsibly and look after the safety of those around you," Mr Larking said.

"If you go out for a drink, remember to plan how you can get home safely before you leave home."

Mr Larking wished everyone a safe and happy Easter break.

"We want everyone to have safe journey, drive responsibly and be mindful of the safety of yourself, your family and friends, and other road users," he said.