Police will have no tolerance for speeding and high risk behaviour on the roads this summer, as this Sunday (1 December) marks the beginning of a two month period of a reduced 4km/h speed threshold and other high profile initiatives.
From 1 December 2013 to 31 January 2014, Police will be strictly enforcing a reduced speed tolerance of 4km/h, combined with a highly visible presence and a continued focus on drink driving, restraints and other risky behaviour. It is the first time the reduction has been extended beyond a long holiday weekend.
Police will also be trialling 28 red and orange coloured patrol vehicles, to be rolled out across the country over the next year as existing vehicle become due for replacement. The first vehicles will go to Tasman, Northland, Eastern, Waikato and Canterbury Police Districts before Christmas.
"The decision to introduce the reduced tolerance in combination with a range of other high profile initiatives is about saving lives and preventing lifelong injuries to those Kiwis who will be taking to the roads this summer," says Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, Dave Cliff.
"Research shows that over the last five years, there has been a greater reduction in speed-related deaths and injuries over holiday periods when Police has enforced the reduced threshold as part of its approach, compared to non-holiday periods.
"During all holiday periods in 2008, before Police implemented the reduced speed threshold, there were 48 speed-related fatal or serious injury crashes. But in 2012, when police operated a reduced threshold in holiday periods, speed-related fatal and serious injury crashes dropped to just 16 - a decrease of 67%," Mr Cliff says.
"Additionally, when Police combined high visibility tactics with a reduced speed threshold during Queen's Birthday Weekends in 2010 and 2011, the total number of fatality/injury crashes reduced by 25%, compared with the previous two years. That's an average of 30 people whose lives were saved. If, as country, we can save that many people over a few days, the question for all of us sharing the roads these holidays is how many could we save over two months?"
Mr Cliff says Police will be maintaining a highly visible presence throughout the summer, with a strong focus on removing speeding, drunk, drugged and high risk drivers from our roads. "Everyone, not just Police, has a part to play in making sure we all enjoy a safe summer on our streets, roads and highways. Road safety is everyone's responsibility."
ENDS
Media contact: Ross Henderson, Police National Headquarters, Ph 04 470 7316