Operation Safe West targets drink driving in Waitakere
Sunday 28 September 2008, 7:50AM
460 views
This weekend Waitakere police conducted an operation targeting drink driving. This was with the assistance of Waitemata District traffic units and the specialised Traffic Alcohol Group. The operation was supported by Waitakere City Council staff and the Ministry of Justice, Business Collections Unit, who accompanied Police on the 2 evenings.
Operation 'SAFE WEST was conducted to target the drink driver and as a result a number of checkpoints were set up in specific locations throughout the Waitakere area. The operation commenced on Friday 26th September at 1900 hours and concluded at 0200 hours on Sunday 28th September 2008.
The operation saw a total of 13,186 vehicles processed at checkpoints strategically placed around the Waitakere suburbs.
Of these vehicles a total of 74 drivers were detected driving with excess breath alcohol. 18 of these drivers elected to have blood tests taken, which will determine whether or not they too will face court proceedings.
A total of 20 vehicles were impounded or seized during the evenings and 14 persons had their licences suspended. There were 19 persons arrested for a variety of offences including warrants for failing to appear at court and driving offences.
The damage and sorrow that is caused from alcohol related injury crashes is a concern to large number of people however it appears that this message is not clear to those who make that choice to drink and drive.
This is an opportunity for friends and family to assist in saving lives and reducing the harm of crashes by ensuring that these drivers make other arrangements so they are able to also get to their destinations without endangering the innocent motorists on our roads. The person who does nothing to prevent a drunk driver when they can, encourages it.
The message from the Waitakere Police is quite clear to those persons who choose to drink and drive on our roads we will be taking every opportunity to ensure you get caught. Every person stopped at any time of the day or night will be breath tested.