Operation Rose week 3 results
21 December 2008
With the combined Central North Island booze bus operation winding down Police now head into a high profile highway policing campaign.
Both are part of Operation Rose, a two phase road policing safety campaign incorporating booze buses, Highway Patrol units and fixed wing aircraft.
Since Thursday Traffic Alcohol Group units from the Bay of Plenty, Central, Eastern and Waikato Police Districts have been on the roads as part of their well publicised anti-drink driving campaign.
But despite widespread media coverage operational commander, Bay of Plenty Road Policing Manager Inspector Kevin Taylor, said the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol was still not sinking in with some motorists.
"From Thursday night till early this morning Central and Eastern District staff manned 22 checkpoints around Marton, Wanganui, Patea, Waverly, Manutahi, Hawera and SH1 at Ohakea.
"There were 6849 vehicles stopped and drivers tested with four drivers under the age of 20 failing breath tests and 24 drivers over 20 failing their tests and we're awaiting blood test results from another six drivers," he said.
In addition five vehicles were seized and 15 drivers were found behind the wheel despite having their licenses suspended.
"The highest breath alcohol reading taken was 1220mgms, over three times the legal limit which is far from tolerable," said Mr Taylor.
Further up the island By of Plenty and Waikato Police combined forces on Saturday night in Rotorua establishing seven checkpoints.
Staff at these checkpoints stopped 3987 vehicles and found four drivers under 20 driving over the legal alcohol limit and 12 drivers over 20.
"On a positive note we received very good feedback from taxi drivers saying how busy they were and some motorists commented how they'd been stopped 3-4 times so the safety first message must have been listened to by some which is pleasing."
While the combined drink driving campaigns have ended Police warn drivers against getting behind the wheel after they've had a few.
"The public notice much difference, each Districts now begins their summer holiday campaign so you can expect to still see booze buses out and about," said Mr Taylor.
"The key messages are don't drink and drive and if you do be prepared to encounter us- anywhere anytime."
While the booze bus has finished the Highway Patrol phase kicked off Saturday with one driver facing court action and the loss of his keys.
"This driver was recorded as driving at a speed of 159km/h in a 100km/h zone which puts not only himself but all other users of that road at risk," said Mr Taylor.
While Police are watching out for speedsters, even taking to the skies to catch them, they are also concerned about slow road users.
"With heavy traffic volumes expected over the holiday period we're asking slow drivers to keep well over to the left or to pull over to let other motorists pass.
"Remember if you stay off the booze, make your belt click, keep to the left, watch your speed and monitor your fatigue levels we should all have a pleasant holiday motoring experience."
End