More than 100 extra Police will be on duty in Auckland next Thursday (28 January) as they set up checkpoints throughout the day in well known high risk locations, as well as at key entry and exit points to the city.
"We will be focusing on dangerous driving behaviours that put not only the driver at risk, but those who share the road with them,” says Acting Senior Sergeant Kuhrt Wieneke, who is in charge of the operation.
“Our focus will be on speeding, drink driving, driving without seat belts and people using their mobile phones.”
Alcohol contributes to around 30 per cent of New Zealand’s fatal road crashes. Over the last 10 years, fatal crashes caused by drink-driving have claimed the lives of around 1,100 people and caused serious injuries to another 5,300.
Four people have died on the roads in the Auckland City Police District since the start of December 2015.
Police will also be continuing to enforce the reduced 4km/h speed threshold that is in place until 31 January 2016.
With many people still returning home ahead of the new school year, Acting Senior Sergeant Wieneke said he hoped Thursday's operation would also act as a timely reminder to those people planning long journeys to make good driving decisions when travelling home.
“As the driver of the vehicle you are responsible for making smart decisions that enable those in the car with you, and other road users, to get to their destination unharmed,” says Mr Wieneke.
“The message is simple, check your speed, seatbelts on, don’t drink and drive and put the phone away.”
The operation will run throughout the day from 7.00am.
ENDS
All requests for media ride-alongs should be made in writing to Tracie Simpson (tracie.simpson@police.govt.nz) by Tuesday 26 January.