17 October 2012
Frustrated by policing an area with one of the country's highest road tolls Waikato Police are seeing red about road safety this Labour Weekend and they hope the public will as well.
District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said so far this year, 32 people had died in 29 crashes on Waikato roads, the same number as the Central District and the highest road toll in the country.
"Of those crashes a number involved alcohol as a contributing factor including a triple fatality in June and with this holiday weekend being the first in four months, we're asking drivers to reduce the risks on the road by avoiding alcohol.
"It's definitely a case of throttle or bottle, not both-the two don't mix. If you're going to drink then ensure you have a safe driver. If one is not available save that last $20 for a taxi because we will have a highly visible presence out on Waikato roads this holiday weekend and it's just not worth the risk."
As part of that presence the country's only red patrol car will be out on busy Waikato roads helping to raise public awareness about road safety and the risks of drinking and driving.
"Last year 22 people died in 18 crashes on Waikato roads in which alcohol, drugs or both were contributing factors. During the national fieldays we found the red car was a very simple and effective tool for grabbing the public's attention about the issue and this weekend we're looking at building on that success.
"This is the first long weekend since June and the roads will be congested with holiday home owners going to check their properties sharing the road with boaties and caravan owners. We need everyone to be on top of their game and that means avoiding alcohol if you're getting behind the wheel."
Last year over Labour Weekend one person died in a crash on Waikato roads, Mr Tooman said if everyone, no just the Police, one saw red over road safety we could all contribute to ensuring the District was fatal free this holiday weekend.
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