Far North drink-drive culture targeted

Police are promising a higher presence and harsher penalties for both motorists and pubs in an attempt to break out-dated attitudes towards drink-driving in the Far North.

Northland road policing and operations manager Inspector Rob Lindsay said drink-driving was the focus on a new project started two weeks ago and running until the end of the year.

"We noted a problem in the Far North area last year in relation to the culture around drink driving -- not only the people who drink and drive but the places that provide alcohol," he said.

"It's like turning the clock back 20 years."

Under the project road policing in the Far North is set to rise from 2000 hours to 5000.

Four existing traffic staff have been redirected to the Far North on a rotational basis, and further highway police are also being sent further north.

"We're aiming at a change in the culture. We're drawing a line in the sand around drink driving in the Far North and the attitudes to it," Mr Lindsay said.

Repeat drink drivers can expect to be arrested and would likely face strict bail conditions -- which would be checked, he said.

Police also planned to oppose bail for serial offenders and would be applying to the court to have offenders' cars confiscated if that is appropriate.

The blitz, being supported by ACC, also included strengthening local alcohol accords to formulate a community response to the issue.

This included offering support programmes dealing with abuse of alcohol and working with local licensed premises on host responsibility.

Last year 33 per cent of Northland's road accident fatalities involved alcohol.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)