Police launch road safety blitz

A concentrated road safety campaign launched to reduce crashes and road deaths in one area has been launched by police.

Inspector Paul Marshall said the campaign would run during the current school holidays and pre-Christmas period that historically had a number of serious crashes.

The ten-week campaign in Rodney District named Operation Diffuse would target people who drink and drive, speed or display poor driving behaviour, he said.

Mr Marshall, the acting area commander, said: "Over the next few weeks we intend to reduce the number of serious crashes on the State Highways and rural roads in the Rodney District, by targeting those persons who drink and drive, speed, practice poor driving behaviour, fail to use proper restraints, and breach their driving licence status.

"The Booze bus, mobile speed cameras, compulsory breath test checkpoints will all be highly visible at strategic locations for the entire duration of the campaign."

He said they would exercise a zero tolerance policy towards dangerous driving.

"If you drink and drive you will be caught," he said.

The public were encouraged to support the initiative that involved the Rodney District Council and ACC, he said.

"Residents can play a vital role by reporting to us instances of poor driving behaviour, by preventing persons from drinking and driving, and by complying with the road laws themselves," Mr Marshall said.

Traffic would be disrupted due to the operation, but the reduction of the road toll in Rodney and the safety of road users was their priority, he said.

- NZHERALD STAFF