"What part of driving on the left do New Zealand motorists not understand?"
That's the question being posed by Central District's Road Policing Manager, Inspector Neil Wynne, who is "gob-smacked" by the early feedback from a highly publicised operation.
Operation Centreline was launched earlier this month with a focus on overtaking, failing to keep left and careless and dangerous driving. The proposed use of covert video recording by officers sparked some controversial debate with an online survey reporting 70 per cent of people in support of the Police tactics.
On Thursday, 27 May, however 54 drivers were photographed driving on the wrong side of the road in the Manawatu Gorge during a five hour period. Eventually the battery on the camera went flat!
"I am absolutely gob-smacked," said Insp Wynne. "It's not like we didn't tell anybody what we were going to be doing. We even chose that location when filming with Campbell Live to highlight the dangers in a prime time TV slot. What is it going to take for motorists to start thinking about their own lives and the lives of others?
"On 54 occasions last week people diced with death through the gorge. One person coming around the bend at the wrong time and the consequences don't bear thinking about. We're not talking a smidgen over the lines we are talking the entire vehicle on the wrong side of the road!"
At least two of the vehicles caught on camera have even more worryingly belonged to health professionals. Drivers now face fines and demerits.
Queen's Birthday weekend is now just around the corner and Police do not want to see a repeat of the Easter tragedies.
Extra patrols are being deployed over the long weekend with staff from all six policing areas in the District joining forces with Highway Patrol officers.
The priority during this time is the 'fatal five' - speed, drink/drug driving, restraints, dangerous and careless driving and high risk drivers. There will be no let up of Operation Centreline which will continue to run throughout the holiday weekend and beyond.
"Easter was an horrific time on the roads with fatalities at a ten-year high," said Insp Wynne. "Holiday periods see more people on the roads, people making longer journeys and often driving on unfamiliar roads with family stresses. This holiday weekend we want everyone to reach their destinations safely and enjoy their families, not lose them."
Motorists are being urged to prepare for their journeys carrying our routine maintenance checks and packing plenty of refreshments and entertainment to keep children calm.
"Take your time, take care and make sure you are fit to drive," said Insp Wynne. "If you fall asleep it could be for the last time!"
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.
