Bay of Plenty drivers still speeding

Speeding still too prevalent, say Western Bay of Plenty Police following a week long speed campaign in Western Bay of Plenty.

The police "Slow Down" speed campaign ran from 20 - 26 September 2010 with the focus on high risk urban roads and highways.

The campaign resulted in 142 infringement offence notices issued for speed. The concerning factor for Police is that 54% of those notices issued were in the upper speed band, which is 16km/h or more over the posted speed limit. Included in those numbers were four truck and trailer units exceeding their 90km/h speed limit.

The highest speed recorded in a 50km/h area was 85km/h and on the State Highways the highest speed recorded was at 145km/h.

Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Holmes of the Western Bay of Plenty Road Policing Unit says speed is a key factor in road safety in New Zealand and the Bay of Plenty is no exception.

"Speed has been a contributing factor in 40% of the 10 road deaths recorded so far this year in our area. Quite simply the faster you go the bigger the mess. We have all seen the ads, it's that simple, speeding causes crashes and we need to slow down."