Police are hoping no one else will die on the roads this Easter

One passenger died just after 10 last night when their car hit a pole in Takanini, in south Auckland.

National Road Policing Centre director, Superintendent Steve Greally, says nine people lost their lives over the Easter break last year - the highest since 2010, when 12 died.

Superintendent Greally says it comes down to basics, like wearing your seatbelt.

He also says alcohol and other drugs, fatigue and phone distraction contribute to road deaths.