Operation Five in Auckland City District

Police from the Eastern Area of Auckland City District concluded their three-week road safety campaign, Operation Five, with a large operation involving more than 40 staff from the Area on Friday night, to coincide with the beginning of the long weekend.

The focus of the operation had been on the 'fatal five' - speed, alcohol, restraints, road safety, and high-risk drivers, and was run across the Area, as historically May had been the month with the highest number of crashes.

Provisional results indicate that over the month there has been a reduction in the number of crashes.
During Friday's operation, police conducted both mobile patrols and checkpoints in Newmarket, Onehunga and Glen Innes streets. Just under 3000 vehicles were stopped, with 19 drivers being processed for drink-driving, and 4 arrests for outstanding fines, and vehicle and drug offences. Several cars were also impounded for other driving offences during the night.

Operation Commander Senior Sergeant Brett Hjorth says that while the number of apprehensions for drink-driving are still cause for concern, the reduction in crashes over the month has been pleasing, as this means less damage to people's property, less injuries and less hospitalisations.