Make a mistake on city streets and you risk dents or some paint damage, make even a simple error on rural roads and it could be fatal warn Waikato Police after two serious crashes in the Coromandel yesterday.

In the first crash a woman was airlifted to Auckland Hospital with critical injuries following a head-on collision on SH25 (Tiki Rd), outside Coromandel township, shortly before 11am. The Waikato Serious Crash Unit is investigating the crash and initial indications are that the woman's Toyota Corolla car crossed the centreline on a corner, into the path of a small refrigerated truck.

Crash unit investigators found themselves heading back to the Coromandel again last night following a fatal crash on SH25 at Te Puru about 8pm.

Speed appears to have played a significant factor in the single vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 22-year-old man that saw his car leave the road on SH25 and impact with a large tree.

Waikato Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said it yesterday's crashes were particularly concerning to Police following on from last week's three fatal crashes in the Eastern Waikato including the death of a motorcyclist in the Coromandel on Friday.

"People seem to be more aware of the risks driving on country roads during peak traffic flows such as holiday periods but they need to be aware that they don't have the road to themselves even when it's quiet.

"In these two cases speed and not obeying basic road rules have been the major factors," he said.

Mr Tooman said the winding roads in the Coromandel required drivers respect and were particularly unforgiving.

"You have a number of large trees sitting right by the road, drops into the sea and blind corners, the key is to plan your trip, give yourself ample time and keep the weight off the right pedal.

"If you make a mistake in the city you risk car damage, if you make a mistake on our country roads it may be one you and other people don't have an opportunity to recover from," he said.