Whakatāne police are looking for buy-in from the community to help New Year’s celebrations run smoothly and safely for all.

Senior Sergeant Cam Mackinnon said they were asking people to act responsibly both on the road and in the sea over the New Year period.

“We want everyone back home safe and in one piece this New Year,” he said.

“The easiest and quickest way for you to get yourself or your mates in trouble is to drink too much and combine it with a vehicle, around water or in a boat. Take precautions around those areas and you’ll be fine.”

The current national road toll is 268 people lost on New Zealand roads so far this year.

“Our goal is to keep it at that number.”

He said it took just one moment of stupid behavour for everything to go wrong.

“Drive with courtesy and patience, drive sober and drive to the relevant speed limit.

“If you’re ever in a position where you’re angry with another motorist, pretend that it’s your mother in that car. How would you like your mother to be treated?”

Conditions were likely to be wet, making roads slippery so it was also important to drive to the conditions, he said.

“Avoid unnecessary overtaking, which quite often raises the temperature of all the motorists on the road and increases the chance of a collision.

“Plan your travel. Advise people of your plans, your destination, your approximate times, and think of you and your team’s safety and your goal, which is to get there and back safe,” Mr MacKinnon said.

Often, crashes are due to inattention or bad judgment combined with too much speed and following too close.

“One little mishap from the person behind you or in front of you and, just like that, you’ll have a crash.

“Make sure your vehicle lights are on. Pay attention and make sure you’re visible. That goes for pedestrians as well.”

He urged people to take care of those around them who had been drinking, even if they were on foot.

“If you’ve got one of your team that’s seriously intoxicated to the point where they can’t walk, probably you need you to do some work to make sure they get home safe.”

He asks that people be mindful of local liquor ban areas during New Year’s.

“Almost all public parks and streets are liquor ban areas in the Whakatāne and Ōhope areas and police will be enforcing compliance.

“Should you find yourself with alcohol in a liquor ban area, you may be subject to an infringement notice from police or arrest and removal and or prosecution, depending on the circumstances.”

New Year’s Day will see many people travelling through Whakatāne returning from Gisborne’s Rhythm and Vines music festival.

“They’re all exhausted. They’re likely to be soaking wet. Everything in their car is going to be trashed and covered in mud and water, but we need them to get home safe.

“Please look after yourselves and your mates by driving safe, having good breaks.”

Passengers need to look after their drivers.

“If you can see them fatigued tired or their minds wandering swap out and take your turn.”

There had already been multiple water related deaths throughout New Zealand in the past few weeks and Mr Mackinnon urged people to consider safety on the water as well.

He said drowning statistics were particularly high for men.

“We forget our limitations. There’s so many incidents of adult males going out to help saving people in trouble and drowning themselves.”

People should advise their families where they were going and use safety devices such as life jackets.

“Look after the people with you. Take care of your mates, basically,” Mr Mackinnon said.