If you are spotted driving badly this Labour Weekend you will be stopped.
This is the message from Northland Police who will have a highly visible presence on the region's state highway network and rural roads.
Every officer that is on the road will be actively enforcing road safety and the road rules.
Labour Day Weekend officially starts at 4pm on Friday October 25 and ends at 6am on Tuesday October 29.
Once again Police will be enforcing a zero tolerance to drivers travelling more than 4km/h over the permanent posted speed limit.
Northland Road Policing Manager Inspector Murray Hodson says many crashes occur when drivers are driving too fast for the conditions and lose control on bends, especially in small rural communities.
"Northland has a lot of narrow windy gravel roads in these rural areas, which are not very forgiving when a driver loses control of their vehicle."
Mr Hodson says fatigue is also an issue, particularly when people have been up all night at a party or social gathering and then choose to drive.
"Alcohol combined with fatigue is a dangerous combination and you don't have to drive far to have a serious or fatal crash."
During the weekend Northland Police will be concentrating on the 'fatal five'. These are the five causes of fatal and serious injury crashes which include alcohol, speed, failing to wear restraints, high risk drivers (i.e. failing to keep left, cutting corners and following too close), dangerous and careless driving.
"We will also be keeping an eye on any driver licence breaches, such as those who are forbidden to drive or disqualified from driving and making sure that drivers are complying to the conditions of graduated driver licences."
Police will be holding checkpoints along with mobile, random stops and every driver who is stopped will be breath tested.
Northland Police will be using the tactic of 'spot and stop', so if any driver is seen to be breaking any road rules or driving badly then a patrol car will be notified and the driver will be stopped.
So, you don't necessarily need to be seen by a patrol car to be stopped.
"And remember please call *555 if you see any poor driving behaviour and we will act on it immediately if there is a patrol car in the area or follow-up later if you can give us the as much detail on the offending car including the registration number."
Mr Hodson asks drivers to be patient and take a break every two hours to avoid fatigue.
There will be fatigue stops at Uretiti on State Highway One this Friday and again on Monday. The Friday stop will be on the northbound lane and will be operated by the Northland Road Safety Association and the Monday stop in the southbound lane will be sponsored by State Insurance.
"Take the opportunity to stop, have a drink, a feed and a rest.
Travelling is a journey. It's not about the destination, so enjoy the drive."
For media inquiries contact Northland Police Communications Manager Sarah Kennett on 09 430 4525 or 027 494 1214.