Editorial: Tips for evaders dodgy

Inspector Kevin Taylor

It seems crazy that in the same week we reported on how Kiwis are so concerned about the reckless driving of some tourists, that we also have news of more than 10,000 people supporting Facebook pages that warn motorists about drink-driving checkpoints and speed cameras in the Bay of Plenty.

In the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, Ruth Keber reported the pages have regular posts about breath tests, registration and warrant checks, traffic issues and hidden speed cameras for drivers to avoid.

Read about it here: Popular Facebook pages helping drivers avoid the law

The administrator of one of the pages told our reporter he didn't see the harm in it, and while he did not condone drink-driving "there are people who can't afford a warrant or can't afford regos".

"They have a job between the hours outside learner licence hours. There are many reasons why people want to join it."

But that is the law. And while there is no evidence that the owners of the pages, or people who like the pages intend to break the law, the fact remains that if you are not breaking the law and driving within driving rules, then why would you need to worry where checkpoints are anyway?

I agree with the stance of Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Kevin Taylor, who said that while the pages were not unlawful, were people who supported them really aware of the potential consequences? ... "Those who assist lawbreakers, and in this case potential drink-drivers, need to consider this - we all share the roads, are you happy to share those roads with impaired drivers?"

On our Facebook page yesterday most agreed with Mr Taylor, and there was little support for the pages, although one poster did describe police checkpoints as "mean az", and another summed up the views of many: "Oh, it'll be a million laughs until it's revealed someone who dodged a checkpoint has gone on to kill someone. Mean as then, eh."

-Annemarie Quill is a Bay of Plenty Times reporter