NZ Police CommCens Alert 08:00 5-11-2007 Auckland City

Location of incident: Auckland City

Weekend Police Traffic Report

Police Yet Again Disappointed With Weekend Results

Police had another busy weekend in Auckland City with Guy Faulkes and the Labour Party meeting however they did manage to carry out a Drink Drive Operation which targeted the Motorway on ramps.

They also had a checkpoint on the northern side of the Harbour Bridge. Land Transport Taxi Enforcement Officers also assisted in the operation. With fewer Police Staff available than normal less vehicles were stopped, however 84 drivers blew over the limit and will face court proceedings.

'Operation Safer Auckland 5' specifically targeted drivers who were at a high risk due to fatigue and overnight drinking. 19 of those testing positive for excess breath alcohol were under 20 years of age.

One driver went over the Harbour Bridge, drove through the coned off area, stopped the car and decamped from the scene. Police dogs were nearby and assisted in finding the driver who was hiding in the garden of a property not far from the checkpoint. He was processed and was found to be over the legal limit. He admitted to running because he was already disqualified from driving from a previous excess Breath Alcohol charge.

He will face charges of unlawfully on property, Excess Breath Alcohol and Driving Whilst Disqualified. His vehicle was also impounded. The highest reading for the night was 1234 micrograms of Alcohol. The limit is 400. Several were about 1100 micrograms.

In another incident a couple were in a Taxi that was being checked. They decided they did not want to wait and so left the vehicle. They walked over the checkpoint lane to the barrier with the intention to climb over the barriers on the Motorway and walk.

They were stopped by Police and taken back to the safety shoulder of the Motorway. A Police Officer then offered to drop the couple off at their home as they lived nearby. Before the couple reached their home a female Officer was allegedly assaulted and the couple ran off. They ran off but were apprehended a short distance away. they too will now face charges as a result of their actions.

Land Transport Taxi Enforcement Staff carried out checks on 295 Taxis and as a result 163 were found not to be compliant. A total of 63 were ordered off the road for a variety of safety reasons.

The situation around the road worthiness of the cities taxis operating at this time of the night also cause Police additional concern when around 55% have at least one notifiable defect and over 21% of those taxis examined had sufficient safety defects to warrant their ordering off the road.

Christmas is approaching and Police are asking that those hosting parties remember to include Taxi chits or ensure their Staff allocate 'sober drivers' and provided non alcoholic drinks. Police will be conducting Drink Drive operations as the festive season approaches. Remember - if you drink then Drive - you will be caught!!!

ENDS

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