Canterbury Police are disappointed at the number of motorists who crossed the centre line on SH1 in the Hundalee area on Sunday (24 January 2016).
Highway Patrol Manager, Senior Sergeant Phil Dean, says 30 drivers were caught crossing the centre line and driving in the oncoming lane during the four hour operation which is more than one driver every ten minutes. “The majority of the drivers were New Zealand residents and while most of them apologised for their driving behaviour too many still felt that it was okay to straddle the line on bends.”
“By not following one of the basic driving rules in New Zealand and keeping to the left of the centre line these drivers are risking everything and are also putting other road users at risk of being involved in a head on crash.”
“The operation for centre line enforcement was started in the Hundalee area in 2008 due to the high number of head-on crashes that resulted in serious injuries and fatalities. Since then there has been a 77% reduction in the number of fatal crashes in the Hundalee area and a 23% reduction in head-on crashes.”
“The section of SH1 in Hundalee has multiple bends as the road navigates through the hilly terrain. Crashes on bends or head on crashes in Hundalee account for 79% of all crashes in that area” explains Senior Sergeant Dean.
The penalty for failing to keep left of the centre line is an Infringement Notice, which carries a fine of $150 and 20 demerit points. In some circumstances the driver may be charged with dangerous driving and summonsed to appear in court.
Everyone has a right to be safe and feel safe whether at home, work on travelling on our roads. Canterbury roads are as safe as those using them and Canterbury Police will continue to target unsafe driving behaviour such as crossing the centre line in order to keep our roads safe for all road users.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District
