If you are driving on the roads this Queen's Birthday weekend, the Police will be out in force to ensure that the roads are safe for everyone.

"Police will be out in strength this weekend ensuring that drivers do not make poor or dangerous driving decisions and put other road users at risk" says Acting Canterbury Road Policing Manager Trevor Pullen. "There will be a 'no excuses' policy towards any driver who exceeds the posted speed limit".

Speed is a major crash mode. Police will take action against any driver who is detected travelling at more than 4km/hr over the posted speed limit. "If you are travelling at 5km/hr or more per hour over the speed limit, you can expect to receive a speeding infringement" he says.

Police will be adopting a zero tolerance of any driving behaviour that puts drivers, passengers, and other road users at risk. "We do not want to see another holiday weekend such as we had at Easter time in which 12 people lost their lives on New Zealand roads and a significant number were seriously injured".

When you get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle you must take responsibility for your behaviour and ensure you make decisions that are safe for everyone.

"Over Queen's Birthday weekend in Canterbury last year there were no fatal crashes on our roads and we want to ensure that there are no fatalities this year". he says "Of course many people leave Canterbury and drive to other areas, including the North Island, and this Police initiative is countrywide.

Drivers need to keep to the speed limit, avoid driving whilst affected by alcohol and drugs, ensure they and their passengers wear their seatbelts, drive to the conditions and watch their following distances. "If you find yourself stuck in heavy traffic, be patient and don't make decisions that put other road users at risk"

"10 people have been killed on Canterbury roads during May, with many more seriously injured. We don't want that to continue" he adds.

The official holiday period for Queen's Birthday commences at 4.00pm on Friday, 4 June 2010 and ends at 6.00am on Tuesday, 8 June 2010.