Nine people have died on New Zealand roads in the past five days, prompting a plea from police for drivers to take care.

The appeal comes after a number of fatal crashes across the country since Friday, with many more serious accidents also reported.

Director of road policing Superintendent Steve Greally said the toll was “incredibly frustrating”.

“We are only three and a half months into the year, and already too many families have had their lives altered forever due to these crashes, many of which could have been avoided,” he said.

“There is no excuse for any driver to be endangering their lives and those of others with unsafe behaviours.”

Some of the serious crashes have involved young people, he said.

In the past 24 hours, two people were killed in a crash in Gisborne, one in Auckland and another in Christchurch.

Greally said recent wild weather was another reason drivers need to be “patient, slow down, and never drive distracted or impaired”.

“Make sure you are always driving to the conditions, slow down on wet roads, and during severe weather events it is best to delay travel where possible.”

He warned police would continue to target dangerous driving, and motorists could expect to see officers “anywhere and anytime”.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.

“Never get behind the wheel if you’re impaired by alcohol, drugs or fatigue and stay fully focused on the road without any distractions.”