Police say driving public spoiled for choice this holiday weekend

Tuesday, 21 October 2014 - 9:03am

Waikato

With skiers making the most of late snow on the mountains combining with holiday home owners making the most of warmer weather, Waikato Police are warning the region's roads will be a lot busier this Labour Weekend.

District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Freda Grace, said varying weather patterns meant the public could be spoilt for choice over the long weekend which will make things challenging on the roads. "We can expect large numbers of motorists to be heading down Auckland's Southern Motorway and then branching off on to SH2 to head to their beach homes in the Coromandel, heading straight ahead on SH1 or branching off on to SH39 to head to the ski slopes.

"In each case they will be turning on to smaller roading networks that demand a higher level of respect and driver attentiveness to successfully share the road." Mr Grace urged drivers to ensure they and their vehicles are fit for the road and that didn't just mean fuelling the car up and grabbing a pie on the road. "We need to ensure our vehicles have warrants of fitness and we need to ensure we're fit for the road to. If you're tired from a long week on Friday, don't head out, get some sleep and head out Saturday instead.

"Likewise, we would ask that people don't get over indulge on alcohol Sunday night and drive home impaired on Monday putting themselves, their passengers and other motorists at risk." Waikato Police will be out in force with a highly visible presence on popular holiday routes over Labour Weekend which will see the return of the successful zero-tolerance to speeds 5km or over posted speed limits. "But really, road safety isn't just about enforcement; it's about the community doing their bit in sharing the road. This means not speeding, not drinking and driving, pulling over to use the phone or text and planning your route allowing plenty of rest and time to get to your destination and back home safely."

"If we're all doing that then the Police's role becomes one of chaperoning, not enforcement because everyone will be doing their bit in ensuring Labour Weekend in the Waikato is fatal and injury free."

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