Taupo Police targeting speeding drivers over long weekend

People heading away for Auckland Anniversary Weekend this weekend are being warned to take their time travelling through the South Waikato and Taupo areas, with a major road policing operation underway in the area to combat speeding and drink drivers.

Operation Trench has been underway since December and will run for four months. The operation was prompted by a high fatality and injury rate on Taupo's State Highways. There were 25 road fatalities on State Highways One and Five through the Taupo area last year, more than any other policing area.

"This is simply not okay, and the time has come for Police and members of the public to do something about it," says Taupo Area Traffic Team Leader, Senior Sergeant Fane Troy.

"It is a privilege to travel on our roads, and speeding drivers put members of the public at risk. It is not okay for anyone, at any time, to drive above the speed limit. Crashes caused by speed are completely avoidable."

Senior Sergeant Troy says the project name has been chosen deliberately, to reflect the fact that Police – and the public – are quite literally involved in a war against road deaths.

"Unfortunately, there are a large number of drivers who think it is okay to travel "just" above the speed limit. It is absolutely not okay and is a dangerous trend which has contributed to our high statistics.

"Anyone caught travelling above the speed limit – regardless of how little – can expect to be stopped.

"We are serious about preventing death on our roads, and anyone caught speeding can expect to be held accountable."

Senior Sergeant Troy says Taupo Police will be out in force across the area over the long weekend, and will be specifically targeting the Fatal Five contributors to serious and fatal road crashes – speed, restraints, dangerous or careless driving, drink or drugged driving and at risk drivers, mainly young people.

Operation Trench will also target motorists who drive inconsiderately on the open road, including those who don't pull over to allow other road users to pass. Police staff will also be breath testing every driver stopped, and distributing road safety flyers on speeding.

Senior Sergeant Troy also wants to remind motorists to observe reduced speed limits in roadworks areas.

"There are extensive roadworks underway around the Taupo and South Waikato area, including the Atiamuri Bridge. We are asking travellers to be mindful of speed limits in this – and any other – roadworks area. Reduced speed limits around roadworks are there for a reason – to keep road workers and motorists safe."
Senior Sergeant Troy says Police will have a very visible presence on the roads this weekend in an effort to deter problem driving and to help keep others safe.

He encourages people to contact Police immediately on 111 to alert them to incidents of dangerous driving.

"These incidents often involve drunk, dangerous or fatigued drivers, and we need to know about them sooner rather than later so we can try and do something about it."