Drunk Drivers Driving In Atrocious Weather

29 July 2008

29 July 2008

Hamilton Police were appalled that despite severe weather warnings being issued by the Met Service for the weekend people still chose to drive under the influence of alcohol.

Sergeant Phil Ruddell of the Hamilton Strategic Traffic Unit said officers from the STU and Waikato Traffic Alcohol Group carried out an operation in conjunction with Court Bailiffs.

"Known as Operation Taipan we were targeting drunk drivers and those driving in breach of the conditions of their graduated driver licences.

"What we found appalled us, in sometimes atrocious driving conditions 29 drivers were found to be driving over the breath alcohol limit and we're awaiting the results of blood tests of another seven drivers," he said.

Of 169 traffic infringement tickets issued in the operation which ran through to 5am both days over half were for drivers breaching their learner or restricted licences.

"This is very disturbing given the conditions to think drivers with such little experience behind the wheel were out in this weather presenting a risk not only to themselves but to other road users as well."

Mr Ruddell said this added further concerns to worries about what to expect from the 'weather bomb' expected to hit the region tonight.

In addition to the drivers causing concern four cars were impounded by Police a stolen vehicle was recovered and court bailiffs seized 15 vehicles in lieu of unpaid fines.

"We have a warning for people that continue to drink and drive, not pay their fines or drive in breach of their conditions that these operations will continue."

ENDS

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