Hawke's Bay police "disappointed" with number of impaired drivers
A "disappointing" number of impaired drivers on the road has strengthened the resolve of Hawke Bay police to hold those who choose to get behind the wheel under the influence to account.
Eighteen drivers were prosecuted after blowing above the legal limit at a checkpoint conducted by police alongside Road Safe Hawke's Bay and St John Ambulance last night.
A total of 1461 cars were stopped, and drivers were breath tested at the roundabout of Pakowhai Road and Te Ara Kahikatea from 6pm-9pm.
Of those prosecuted, six will be summonsed to court, and 12 received an infringement notice.
Police also dealt with one disqualified driver at the checkpoint.
Eastern District Road Policing Manager Inspector Matt Broderick said: "Unfortunately, there are still a lot of drivers who don’t think it’s a problem to drive after drinking".
"They know drinking increases their chances of crashing, and they know the consequences of being stopped by Police, but they are still willing to take the chance," he said.
For the remainder of December, they will be particularly focused on targeting drink-driving, with checkpoints and random roadside testing to increase the odds of drivers who "chance it" being caught.
“We don’t want anyone’s holiday to be ruined by the death of a loved one on the roads and we want everyone to get where they’re going safely," Broderick said.
He said around 400 people are killed or seriously injured on New Zealand roads every year in a crash where the driver was impaired.
"Throughout the holiday season, our staff will be emphasising the message ‘drive safely, arrive alive’, focusing on the four main contributors to death and injury on our roads."
These are not using restraints (seatbelts), impairment (drunk or drugged drivers), distraction (such as using cellphones) and speed.
"Police will be working hard to remind people that we all have the power to make good choices on the road – choices which will keep it safe for everyone."
