Police encouraged by positive results from road checkpoints

Central District Police along with their road safety partners from ACC, Horizons Regional Council Road Safety, Plunket, NZTA, and St John were out in force yesterday (Friday 21 December) evening reinforcing the message that Police are serious about road safety this holiday period.

Checkpoints were set up on State Highway 1 Sanson and Mangaweka, and State Highway 3 Midhurst, Taranaki. Drivers were breath tested, vehicle fitness examined, restraints checked, and child safety seats examined. Motorists were reminded that the speed tolerance has been reduced to 4km for the  holiday period until 7 January 2013.

Central District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Dave White said: "It was great to see that the vast majority of motorists were driving well, had left home with plenty of time to complete their journey with rest stops, and were abiding to the speed limit. The feedback from those at checkpoints was that they were pleased to see the Police out enforcing the rules."

Out of the 2,885 vehicles stopped at the checkpoints, there was only a small number of infringement notices issued. No drivers were processed for drunk driving.

“Motorists driving through the Central North Island over the holiday period should expect to see Police out on the highway and to be stopped and issued infringements if they are offending. As part of our enforcement we are also using a fixed wing aircraft to monitor traffic flow over the long weekend,” said Inspector White.

“I want to thank those motorists who co-operated with police staff at the checkpoints.

“Remember we all have a part to play in road safety, drive to survive.”