Kaimai crackdown awaits drivers

A truck crash on the Kaimai Ranges. Photo / APN

Motorists travelling at 105km/h or more over the Kaimai Ranges will be fined and given demerit points as part of a police speeding policy usually applied only on holidays.

The campaign - which started on April 1 and runs until the end of August - targets speeding motorists on State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Ranges.

Police say everyone caught driving at 105km/h or more will be fined and given demerit points.

The crackdown follows a police campaign targeting speed on SH29 last year during which the number of crashes fell 63 per cent.

Acting Senior Sergeant Mike Owen, who is in charge of road policing in the Western Bay of Plenty, said there was a perception that people were free to drive at 110km/h without being ticketed.

"But what we are saying is the Kaimais in particular pose a different risk in the wet months so we are not prepared to sit back and let people drive at 110km/h in conditions where they shouldn't be."

The idea to ticket all drivers travelling at 5km/h or more over the limit was introduced nationally over Queen's Birthday Weekend last June. It resulted in a 23 per cent reduction in crashes and only one death on the roads during the long weekend compared with 10 in 2009.

Speeding fines increase progressively from $30 for speeds less than 10km/h over the limit, to a maximum fine of $630 for speeds up to 50km/h over the limit.

Motorists stopped by police speeding by up to 10km/h receive 10 demerit points and those stopped between 11km/h and 20km/h above the limit receive 20 demerit points.

Police will also focus on State Highway 33 at Paengaroa and State Highway 2 between Bethlehem and Katikati this winter.