"All bets are off!" That's the message from Superintendent Russell Gibson of Central Police District, Russell Gibson who is authorising covert tactics to prevent further deaths and injuries on our roads.
"Just like other police districts we are sick and tired of attending nonsensical preventable crashes," says District Commander Gibson.
So far this year 22 people have lost their lives on the roads of Central District. Operation Centreline is about to kick off and will target all traffic offending with an emphasis on overtaking, failing to keep left, careless and dangerous driving and slow driving.
As well as standard road policing methods, tactics will include the use of plain and marked vehicles and video recording. Often motorists will not realise they are being videoed until they are stopped further along the road.
"Is it hiding, yes it is, and I make no apology for that," says Supt Gibson. "We are being up front about our intentions, we are just not saying where we will be and when. If I have to have officers hiding in trees to stop the blatant disregard for the road rules that is claiming lives almost daily, then that is what I will do.
"I have no doubt there will be cynics who will voice their displeasure and accuse us of revenue collecting, but I suspect there will be an equal, if not greater number of families of victims who will applaud the initiative.
"At the end of the day if you drive safely and within the law you have nothing to fear. If you choose to run the gauntlet, then don't say you haven't been warned."
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.