Nowhere to hide for drink drivers

By CATHERINE MASTERS, NATASHA HARRIS and NZPA


A nationwide blitz on drink-drivers has brought an increase in the number of people picked up at checkpoints and netted more first-time offenders than ever before.

Part of the rise is the result of this year's strategy of getting more booze buses on the roads and keeping them out there every day, 24 hours a day.

The campaign peaked on Christmas Eve with all-day blitzes.

The northern police communications centre reported successful campaigns in Northland, Auckland, the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

Police have indicated that the blitzes will increase in the run-up to New Year.

They warn that drink-drivers will not be able to hide. There could, they say, be a booze bus waiting at the top of the street at 10am or in the middle of the afternoon.

Speedsters are also being targeted and police patrol cars will be stationed every 20km between the Bombay Hills south of Auckland and Wellington during the holiday period.

Waikato's top roading officer, Inspector Leo Tooman, said police from the Central, Bay of Plenty and Wellington regions were taking a co-ordinated approach this year and concentrating on State Highway 1.

A three-day blitz around Auckland netted 51 drink-drivers, nearly double the number for the same time last year.

But another blitz on Tuesday and Christmas Eve delighted Auckland police, who caught only one drink-driver out of 4373 vehicles stopped.

Just over 150 other drivers had drunk alcohol, but not enough to fail the test.

Auckland's traffic chief, Superintendent Dick Trimble, said the later results were "absolutely wonderful".

"This is an extremely good result and it may well be with all the activity that's been broadcast about drink-driving that the message to not drink drive has finally got through. "

More than 24,000 vehicles passed through 21 checkpoints operated by traffic alcohol group (TAG) teams and motorways staff in one of the ongoing blitzes planned for around the country throughout the holidays.

But an increase in first-time drink-drivers was noticeable and disappointing, Mr Trimble said.

"Only about 10 per cent of those we're stopping are recidivist drink-drivers. The normal ratio is almost half the people we process have been there before. I think that may well be the difference ... that perhaps people who have not previously offended are not heeding the message this year round the way they have in previous years."

Inspector Dave Walker, the officer in charge of Auckland motorways and TAG teams, said the blitzes would continue and people would be arrested if they drink and drive.

"TAG teams are working longer hours in Auckland so drunk drivers are coming across more checkpoints and this may contribute to why such a high number of drivers were caught. But it is clear some drivers are still under a mistaken illusion that they can get away with drinking and driving."

Booze buses will also be at summer spots such as Orewa, Piha, Raglan and Mt Maunganui.

Young people will have the chance to see just what their level is when police with breath testers visit target hotspots with breathalysers in the northern parts of Bay of Plenty.

Bay of Plenty road policing manager Kevin Taylor said police would go to parks, concerts and beaches around Tauranga and Whakatane.

Taupo police also plan extra patrols to deal with traffic enforcement and drink-driving.

Many of the people being caught during the blitzes are resigned to what they have done, but some abuse police or try to fight. Others try to run away.

"Generally people are pretty good and will co-operate with police," said Sergeant Bryan Turley, a supervisor on an Auckland checkpoint bus.

"A lot cry, but there are a minority who swear, spit and abuse other drivers in the bus who are getting processed."

By Christmas Eve, 450 people had died on the roads, compared with 389 last year.

Drinking and driving

* In five days before Christmas 52 drivers failed an evidential breath test.

* A further 21 opted for blood tests that have been sent away for analysis.

* Eleven vehicles were seized, three suspended drivers were stopped and 203 infringement notices were issued for licence offences and vehicle defects.