We may be too quick to point the finger at overseas visitors when it comes to road accidents.

Police say 40 drivers were issued infringement notices for crossing the centre line on State Highway One, near Canterbury's Hundalee Hills over Waitangi weekend.

Senior Sergeant Phil Newton says tourists are often blamed for unsafe driving, but that's not necessarily the case.

"It appears to be fairly equal across the board. I've looked at some of the photographs and the majority are local drivers."