WBOP Police kept busy on roads over Easter

Western Bay of Plenty Police where kept busy on local roads during the "Easter Holiday Period".

In total, 452 Infringement Notices were issued to drivers between 4.00pm Thursday 1st April and 6.00am Tuesday 6th April 2010. A further 360 drivers will receive a speed camera fine through the mail.

Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Holmes of the Strategic Traffic Unit says Police were greatly concerned at the apparent lack of responsibility shown by some drivers towards their own safety and that of other road users.

"Speed is a key factor in road safety in New Zealand and Western Bay of Plenty is no exception, quite simply the faster you go, the bigger the mess," he says.

"Anyone caught speeding can expect to be held accountable."

In what Acting Senior Sergeant Holmes describes as a serious crash waiting to happen, an 18 year old male driver was apprehended driving at 110 km/h in a 50 km/h area, with a breath alcohol reading of 572 micrograms. The legal limit for a driver of this age is 150 micrograms.

Acting Senior Sergeant Holmes says several other drivers were caught travelling at speeds of up to 149 km/h on WBOP Roads.

• 283 Drivers received instant fines for exceeding the speed limit
• 19 for not wearing seatbelts
• 250 for other offences varying from intersection breaches to No Current Warrant of fitness

Acting Senior Sergeant Holmes says drivers need to take responsibility for their own actions.

"If they are drinking they need to have a sober driver or make other travel arrangements.

"It's disappointing that many people are continuing to be caught driving while intoxicated. Unfortunately, despite all the advertising, crashes and apprehensions, drink driving is still a major problem in this area, just as it is across New Zealand.

"If you are stopped you can be expected to be breath tested, if you are drink-driving you can expect to be caught and held accountable."

Acting Senior Sergeant Holmes says Police would also like to thank the many motorists who reported instances of poor and dangerous driving via the *555 reporting number.

"As a result of one call, a 32 year old male is facing drink driving charges and had his licence immediately suspended after a member of the public phoned Police to report his bad driving. The driver returned a breath alcohol level of 839 micrograms which is more than double the legal limit."

ENDS

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