Lack of responsibility by drivers dismays WBOP Police

Western Bay of Plenty Police where kept busy on local roads during the "Labour Weekend Holiday Period".

In total 518 Infringement Notices were issued to drivers between 4.00pm Friday 22nd October and 6.00am Tuesday 26th October 2010. 5102 drivers were breath tested with 24 of those drivers facing drink driving charges.

The youngest driver facing prosecution is a 17 year old local male who returned a breath alcohol result of 400 micrograms, while the oldest was an 81 year old male from Cambridge with a breath test result of 624 micrograms.

Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Holmes of the Western Bay of Plenty Road Policing Unit said that Police were greatly concerned at the apparent lack of responsibility shown by some drivers towards their own safety and that of other road users.

"Speed and alcohol are proven killers on our roads, and the community at large should be alarmed at the actions of these irresponsible drivers who put the lives of others at risk. The challenge for our community is to work together along side Police to reduce this problem."

Acting Senior Sergeant Holmes said that drivers need to take responsibility for their own actions. If drinking they need to have a sober driver or make other travel arrangements.

"Its disappointing that many people are continuing to be caught driving while intoxicated. Unfortunately, despite all the advertising, crashes and apprehensions, drink driving is still a major problem in this area, just as it is across New Zealand.

"If you are stopped you can be expected to be breath tested, if you are drink-driving you can expect to be caught and held accountable."

The combination of Speed and Alcohol were also combined in what Mr Holmes describes as an act of clear stupidity with two drivers, a male and female, now facing prosecution after they were caught racing at 103 km/h in a 50 km/h area. Both drivers were drunk, with the male returning a breath alcohol level of 499 and the female 549.

Both drivers also had their vehicles impounded and their licenses suspended immediately for 28 days prior to their court appearance where they face possible hefty fines, periods of up to three months imprisonment and six month minimum periods of disqualification.

In another incident that could have resulted in a serious crash, Police referred a 13 year old child to Youth Aid Section and Child Youth and Family services after he led Police on a short Pursuit. The youth was spotted by Police driving at 73km/h in a 50 km/h zone as he sped through a red traffic light, He then drove through a second red light and into a dead end street and onto a private address where he was located by Police. The youth has also been drinking but returned a breath result of just under the youth alcohol limit.

Police also encountered several motorists travelling at high speed on local highways.

Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Holmes said he was disappointed at the selfish and irresponsible attitude of these drivers who after all the publicity about the outcomes of speed related crashes continued to ignore the warnings placing everyone at risk.

In what he describes as a crazy act, a motorcyclist was checked at 200 km/h on State Highway 2 near Katikati, The Motorcyclist evaded apprehension by driving up a rural road and hiding in orchard properties.

In another incident two motorcycles were checked at 175kmh near Bay Park, Police stopped one of the motorcycles near Papamoa, The rider is facing Dangerous Driving charges and had his licence suspended immediately.

Several other drivers where caught travelling at speeds of up to 147 km/h on WBOP Roads. 153 Drivers received instant fines for exceeding the speed limit. 34 for not wearing seatbelts and 365 for other offences varying from graduated licence breaches, intersection breaches through to No Current Warrant of fitness and vehicle related offences.

"We've all seen the ads, its that simple, speeding causes crashes, we need to slow down. Our roads aren’t built for speed and neither are many of our drivers."

In another incident, Police received a standing ovation from local residents in Windermere after they apprehended two drivers for doing Burnouts and impounded their vehicles. Both drivers are facing prosecution for Sustained Loss of Traction.

Over the Official weekend holiday Period, 14 drivers had their vehicles impounded and Police will be applying to the Courts to have the vehicles of those drivers who qualify, confiscated by the Courts and sold.

Mr Holmes also said that Police would like to thank the many motorists who reported instances of poor and dangerous driving via the *555 reporting number.