Travel safe in the Bay of Plenty this weekend

Western Bay of Plenty Police will be out in force this weekend on the District's roads and highways ensuring that motorists heading to the Rugby World Cup Final or travelling to the Bay arrive safely.

Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Holmes, head of the Western Bays Road Policing group, said nationally on the roads and highways during Labour Weekend in 2010, eight people lost their lives and 23 suffered serious injuries.

Mr Holmes said Police will be applying the national holiday weekend speed tolerance of 4km/h and asks drivers to plan their journeys and be patient.

"Speed is often a key factor in many crashes and the TV ads are quite correct in saying, “The Faster you go, the bigger the mess”. Anyone caught speeding can expect to be held accountable.

"Police will also be looking at those drivers who drive well below the speed limit and who do not pull over and let other motorists past."

Mr Holmes encourages all drivers to drive safely and at a speed they are comfortable at, however, if this is slower than the normal traffic flow then he reminds them that they have a legal responsibility to pull over when it is safe to do so and let other motorists past.

Western Bay of Plenty Police will also be placing a strong focus on Alcohol and Drug impaired drivers. All drivers stopped can expect to be breath tested said Mr Holmes.

"Despite all the advertising and publicity about the dangers of drink driving alcohol impaired drivers were still responsible for eight of the 13 deaths on Western Bay Roads in 2010. The Booze Bus will continue to be a regular feature on our Roads as we launch” Operation Profile”," said Mr Holmes.

This operation is a concentrated Police and Joint Road Safety Committee effort to rid Drink and Drug impaired drivers from our roads.

Mr Holmes said Police will adopt several tactics to hunt down impaired drivers and this included the use of plain cars and the monitoring of vehicles leaving licenced premises.

"It’s really simple, if you are intending to drink, arrange other transport or have a sober driver. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking "I will be right as I have only had a couple."

"Remember it is your family, friends, neighbours and workmates who are at risk from drink drivers on our roads as recent crashes have shown."

Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Holmes encouraged all drivers to contact Police on *555 and report dangerous drivers or those drivers putting others at risk. Members of the public are important partners in ensuring we continue to make our roads and highways a safer place.