A month long operation focusing on drivers' speed on Waikato Highways leading up to the Queen's Birthday holiday weekend resulted in over 1000 drivers facing enforcement action.
Waikato Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said 1035 drivers were issued infringement notices in May during Operation 'Fast and the Furious'.
"This figure is too high and particularly concerning as it does not include offending detected by speed cameras and indicates drivers have become too blasé' about the risks of excess speed.
"Excessive speed remains one of the top three contributing factors in the cause of all fatal and injury crashes in the Waikato. Speed survey data taken in 2009 shows over 36% of vehicles travelling through our District exceed the speed limit in 100km/h areas."
Mr Tooman said a particularly alarming trend identified during the operation was the willingness of drivers behind the wheel of big rigs to exceed the speed limit.
"During the operation 205 drivers of heavy motor vehicles received infringement notices for driving vehicles over the 90km/h speed limit which is far too many.
"It's not just Police who are concerned, we have the support of the Road transport Association, the Owner/ Driver Association and ACC. Truck drivers who received infringement notices will now have to face explaining themselves to their employers."
Mr Tooman said the reason the transport industry was concerned was that if drivers clocked up too many hours or demerit points from speeding they created a workplace hazard which can have repercussions on their employer's ability to ensure a safe work environment.
"Our partners in the industry now see the Police as an industry watchdog as opposed to the parties being in an adversarial role."
Beginning tomorrow Waikato Police will join colleagues nationwide enforcing a zero tolerance policy towards anyone travelling more than 4km/h over posted speed limits.
"Last year 10 people lost their lives in six crashes on New Zealand roads during Queen's Birthday weekend. Four of these deaths happened in a crash in our District in a collision on SH30 near Benneydale, it's the type of carnage we don't want to see a repeat of.
"Excessive speed, no matter what vehicle you drive is a killer. Motorists can expect to encounter our staff anywhere- any time while transiting Waikato roads, not just this holiday weekend but anytime throughout the year, the answer is drive to survive."
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