Eye in the sky picks up bad driving

Central District Police have been using a fixed-wing aircraft this holiday season in their efforts to reduce the risks to motorists travelling through the central North Island.

"We have been using the plane to assist ground patrols to apprehend those drivers who put others’ lives at risk with dangerous driving. It also helps us identify slow drivers who hold traffic up and cause others to become frustrated and then take risky actions,” said Inspector David White, Road Policing Manager.

The plane was used to assist with monitoring traffic flow to and from the two big Boxing Day events: horse racing at Awapuni and motorcycle racing in Whanganui.

A vehicle was detected by ground patrols travelling at 135 kilometres on State Highway 3. The vehicle was trying to avoid patrols by leaving the highway and speeding on rural roads. The plane directed the patrols on the ground who then intercepted the driver.

A motor home reported driving dangerously on State Highway 1 was located by the plane about 25 kilometres from where it was first reported. Further bad driving from the motor home was observed and nearby patrols stopped the vehicle.

Also, on State Highway 57 near Shannon a car was reported driving dangerously, the plane intercepted the car near Levin and ground patrols stopped it.

“Officers in the plane reported that while the traffic flow was very heavy, in general driver behaviour was good.

"This holiday period we're focusing on the fatal five – speed, seatbelts, alcohol, distraction, and fatigue. These factors can have a huge effect on road safety. The use of the plane is just another tool alongside speed detection, camera vans, checkpoints, and plain vehicles that we are using in the Central District in an effort to reduce the crash rate.

"One life has already sadly been lost on Central District roads this holiday period. We want everyone to have a holiday without it being marred by disaster or death on our roads. Please remember to drive to survive this season,” said Inspector White.