Over the weekend of 1 / 2 August 2009, Mid/South Canterbury Highway Patrol conducted Operation Snowman in the Rakaia Gorge / Mount Hutt area.

The focus of the Operation was 'Driver Behaviour'

On Saturday 1st August:

19 Infringements were issued to drivers for crossing the centreline on State Highway 77 through the Rakaia Gorge.

13 Infringements were issued for failing to stop at the stop sign at Mclennans bush road, the base of the Mount Hutt Skifield.

During the Operation, numerous other road safety issues were dealt with including Alcohol and Drug impaired drivers, speeding offences and an eighteen year old male was arrested was for failing to stop and other driving matters.

The majority of the offending drivers were travelling to and from the skifield area.

The Operation was not conducted on the 2nd August due to inclement weather conditions.

The Operation was conducted due to serious crashes and previous poor driver behaviour in the above locations. The purpose was to reduce Road Trauma and improve driver behaviour.