Operation Rose weekend 2
14 December 2008
Waikato police working as part of a Central North Island wide road safety campaign are frustrated that their anti-drink driving message is being ignored following a crash that claimed two lives at Huntly early this morning.
Waikato Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said speed and alcohol are both suspected as being contributors to a crash that claimed the lives of a 25-year-old male driver and a 22-year-old female passenger.
The Waikato Serious Crash Unit is investigating just what happened in the smash which involved the couple's Mitsubishi Lancer car and a DAF articulated truck and trailer unit on SH1 about 2.40am.
"Initial indicators are the southbound Mitsubishi has crossed over the centre line and drifted across to the safety shoulder of the northbound lane.
"As the driver has tried to return to his correct lane he has collided with a northbound truck and trailer unit, killing both occupants instantly."
A witness told Police she had been passed by the couple's car at high speed on the Ohinewai Expressway a short time earlier.
While all such road crashes are tragedies Mr Tooman said this morning's smash was particularly upsetting given the large number of Police working on the roads overnight.
"As part of Operation Rose 40 staff manned nine checkpoints in the Waikato concentrating on the very things that appear to have contributed to the crash, speed and alcohol.
"Of 3317 cars stopped 50 drivers face prosecution for excess breath alcohol. Considering the large amount of publicity given to this operation this figure is simply too high and we have to ask is the message simply not sinking in?"
Of those drivers over the legal alcohol limit 37 were aged over 20 and 13 were aged under 20.
In addition three vehicles were seized and six drivers were found behind the wheel driving whilst already suspended.
"Last week young drivers were highlighted as a group causing some concern and this problem has continued on into the second week of our operation.
"It's an area we'll be paying particular attention to but given the double tragedy today drivers should be aware we'll be continuing our high profile campaign to try and reduce the number of road trauma victims," said Mr Tooman.
End