Police in the Central District are urging all motorists traveling over the coming long weekend to please drive with care.
The official Labour weekend period officially starts at 4.00 pm on Friday 22 October and ends at 6.00 am on Tuesday 26 October.
Additional Police patrols, including the Highway Patrol and Traffic Alcohol Group will be out in force over this period covering the major arterial highways and areas of risk within the District. Police are aiming for a fatal-free holiday weekend and a reduction in crashes and injury.
“Our staff will be highly visible over this period,” says Acting Road Policing Manager Senior Sergeant Kris Burbery.
“I want the traveling public to feel confident that they will see Police patrol vehicles out there who will be monitoring the traffic flows and are able to deal with those drivers who are offending. Given the number of additional staff working over this period I am sure they will.”
Police will continue to take a hard line on drivers exceeding the speed limit. Over this official holiday period the tolerance will be reduced to 4 kilometres per hour over any speed limit for the official holiday period," says Senior Sergeant Burbery.
"That means any driver detected exceeding that tolerance will be stopped and enforcement action taken. If you break the law you can expect to get caught."
Staff will be conducting mobile and stationary patrols and every driver stopped will be breath tested.
As well as monitoring and dealing with any speed and alcohol related offences staff will also be monitoring the behavior of drivers around passing lanes and intersections. "We will also be continuing our work around the Operation Centerline focusing on those drivers who fail to keep left.
"We will also focus on slow drivers who may be impeding the flow of traffic and causing other drivers to become impatient and perhaps take risks trying to pass them."
All drivers and occupants of vehicles must ensure they wear their seatbelts and other vehicle restraints; there will be a zero tolerance around those who choose not to wear seat belts or who fail to ensure children are safely restrained in a vehicle.
“One of the biggest concerns during this time is the issue of driver fatigue and drivers should ensure they plan their journeys well, allow time for possible delays and take frequent breaks for rest and refreshments.”
To assist with this there will be a driver reviver site set up on SH1 at Ohakea on the Monday of this long weekend, which offers drivers the chance to stop and take a break.
Another factor this time of year is the potential for changes in the weather and road conditions and Police would ask all drivers to please drive to the conditions and adjust the manner of driving to any changes during their trip.
“It's all about being sensible and responsible and all drivers have a part to play in road safety and setting the standards to ensure we all have a happy and safe holiday.
"The excellent results achieved by the whole country over Queen's Birthday weekend shows together we can do it," Senior Sergeant Burbery says.
The key road safety messages are:
• Prepare your vehicle for any travelling - make sure it is roadworthy
• Allow plenty of time to get to your destination - we would rather you get there early than not at all
• Keep to the speed limits
• Don't drink and drive
• Don't drive tired - take plenty of breaks
• Buckle up
• Don't use mobile phones while driving