Christchurch police launch blitz on red zone vehicles

File photo / NZ Herald

A blitz on vehicles going in and out of the Christchurch central city red zone has been launched by police today.

Two heavy trailers with faulty brakes were ordered off the road and 12 commercial vehicles were fined for exceeding road user charges during the police operation this morning.

From around 6.30am, police at four separate checkpoints stopped several hundred vehicles, bikes and pedestrians entering the CBD red zone.

Senior Sergeant Mike Jones says police were conducting checks on vehicles and drivers for a range of issues including vehicle compliance and roadworthiness, driver's licenses, alcohol and drugs, as well as general checks on individuals coming into the red zone.

"Some of the results for commercial vehicles were disappointing," he says.

"Two heavy trailers were found to have faulty brakes and were given non-operational orders - effectively ordering them off the road.

"It was also of concern that a significant number of commercial vehicles were not complying with road user charges.

"But otherwise we were pleased that few other offences were detected."

The operation involved 35 staff from the Strategic Traffic and Commercial Vehicle Inspection Units, along with proactive patrol staff.

Other results from the operation included 20 infringement notices issued for a variety of traffic offences such as expired warrants of fitness or incorrect licences; two disqualified drivers located who had their cars impounded; and one person arrested on a warrant for outstanding fines.

Many of the drivers stopped were breath-tested, but none were found to be over the alcohol limit.

"That was a pleasing result," said Mr Jones.

A small number of individuals were found to have issues relating to their CERA passes for access to the CBD red zone. These have been referred to CERA, which has responsibility for access.

"Overall we're relatively happy with what we found," Mr Jones said.

"The majority of people appeared to be bona fide and had the proper authorisation to be in the CBD.

"With a few exceptions, the majority of vehicles were also found to be roadworthy and compliant."

He added it was likely the operation would be repeated in the future.