Motorists are being reminded of the dangers of fatigue.

It comes after seven people were killed yesterday morning in a cash between a van and a truck  on State Highway 1, just south of Picton.

Another two people from the van were taken to Wellington Hospital with serious and critical injuries - the truck driver has minor injuries.

Motor vehicle crash investigator Hamish Piercy told Tim Dower it only takes a second to become vacant behind the wheel.

He says given the road is a direct route to the ferry, fatigue is likely to have been a factor.

LISTEN ABOVE