Leave early for a safe trip to All Blacks' Hamilton game says NZTA

The NZ Transport Agency is advising fans heading to Hamilton tomorrow for the All Blacks’ game against Japan to leave early and allow ample time for a safe journey.

“We expect traffic to be heavy, and our advice to drivers is to leave early to avoid disappointment,” says the NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Auckland and North, Tommy Parker.

With an 8pm start, Mr Parker said drivers should allow plenty of extra time to take account of extra traffic and should aim to arrive at the ground well before kick of-off.

“This should be a great night for Hamilton and we will do everything we can to keep the state highways on both sides of the Bombay Hills flowing smoothly to help people get to the game on time,” he says.

Mr Parker says that is also important that fans take their time to ensure a safe journey home after the game.

“People will be returning home after dark, and even with all the improvements made to the highway between Hamilton and Auckland it is still important that people drive to the conditions, keep a safe following distance and keep their speeds down.

“Our goal is to ensure Rugby World Cup 2011 is not only a winning one for New Zealand - particularly tomorrow night - but a safe one as well. We don’t want anyone’s World Cup to be marred by an avoidable road crash,” Mr Parker says.

Further information to help people with their transport is available on the following websites:

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions/highway-info/index.html
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/around-nz/rugby/index.html