Operation Labour Weekend 10

Canterbury Police will be out in force this Labour Weekend on all of the main state highway holiday routes enforcing speed, seat-belts, unsafe passing and other trauma promoting offences.

 

"This holiday weekend will see the reduction of the national speed tolerance from 10 km/h to 4 km/h. Introduced over Queens Birthday weekend, this contributed to a 23% reduction in crashes and the lowest road toll (1 fatality) for that holiday weekend in fifty years, and we will be aiming for a similar result this holiday weekend", says Inspector Al Stewart, Canterbury Road Policing Manager.

 

"The Labour Weekend holiday period runs from 4.00pm Friday 22 October until 6.00am Tuesday 26 October. Labour Weekend 2009 saw eight people lose their lives on the roads nationally and a further 132 people suffer injuries", says Inspector Stewart.

 

Particular risk times are during late Friday afternoon, late Saturday morning and mid-day Monday as people travel to and from holiday destinations.

 

If we can reduce the speeds on the roads, we can reduce the number of crashes and the severity of any that do occur. People will always make mistakes and we need to ensue that one mistake does not cost them their lives.

 

 

There will be forty staff dedicated to the operation locally, an increased presence on our roads and an increase in the use of fixed and mobile speed cameras.

 

"We are asking drivers to be patient with other road users, ensure they plan their trip and get plenty of rest, breaking the journey up where possible", says Inspector Stewart.

 

The use of headlights throughout the trip greatly enhances visibility, especially in adverse weather conditions. As always, slower drivers and those towing trailers and caravans, are urged to closely watch their mirrors and to pull over when they can safely do so, to allow following traffic to pass.

 

"Please make sure that both you and your vehicle are in good condition for the long trip and be courteous and safe on the roads. Look after your mates and family, don't let a moment of frustration on the roads lead to a bad decision, and arrive at your destination safely," says Stewart.