Impatience is being flagged as a reason the holiday road toll is already so high.

Just halfway through the holiday period the number of road deaths sits at twelve, already equal with the entire tally for last year.

The latest death was that of a motorcyclist, who crashed in the Otago town of Cromwell on Thursday morning.

"Police are extremely disappointed in the road toll so far this holiday period" said National road policing manager Superintendent Steve Greally.

"While these crashes are all under investigation, and it is too early to speculate on causes, I can say with some confidence that they were all avoidable."

Supt Greally said it was significant that a third of the fatalities had been motorcyclists.

"Every time you approach a car - or motorbike - with keys in your hands, you need to be aware that your decisions affect more than just yourself," he said.

"A serious crash is a traumatic event. It's traumatic for those involved in the crash, their loved ones and all the emergency staff who have to respond."

Greally said people who are eager to get their holiday started, need to stop being reckless on the road.

He said said people should try to leave several days early if possible to avoid getting stuck and further clogging the roads.

"It comes down to planning doesn't it- we all know Christmas is coming up, its the 25th of December every year, we know that the first of January is New Years, it's not like it's a surprise."

The official holiday period began at 4pm last Friday and will end at 6am next Wednesday.