NEW POST VEHICLES

Posties out west will soon be delivering mail with fully electric vehicles. Looking like a cross between a golf cart and a farming quad bike, the vehicles can carry up to 200kg and the battery lasts for up to 90km. Over the next few weeks drivers will be trained in Henderson, Ranui, Swanson and Te Atatu. It will be rolled out in Massey, West Harbour and Hobsonville in November. A New Zealand Post spokeswoman says Auckland Transport has given permission for road-worthy vehicles to be used on the footpath.

LABOUR WEEKEND DELAYS

The first long weekend of summer is finally here. Drivers are being reminded by the New Zealand Transport Agency to plan ahead to avoid delays and stay safe on state highways in Auckland and Northland. Data based on previous Labour Weekends which show areas and times most likely to be congested can be found at nzta.govt.nz/ hotspots. The agency’s Auckland and Northland regional director Ernst Zollner says when there is a higher number of cars on the road combined with tired drivers it can create stressful driving situations. ‘‘Reducing your speed and increasing your following distances play a major role in minimising the potentially serious consequences of those mistakes.’’ The agency says to make sure your vehicle is safe before hitting the road, don’t drink and drive and allow plenty of time and share the driving. Slow down and be considerate.