Over 1000 offences detected during one-week operation

During a week-long enforcement operation supporting Auckland Transport’s “Red Means Stop. No Exceptions.” campaign, Counties Manukau Police issued 1096 Infringement Offence Notices for various traffic offences.

Tickets issued for failing to comply with a red traffic light reached 100, while 260 drivers were found failing to comply with a yellow traffic light.

“While the primary focus of the campaign was on intersections and red lights, staff were also on the lookout for other Fatal Five offences,” says Counties Manukau Police Road Policing Manager Inspector Neil Fisher. “Fatal Five offences are the five things that contribute to road fatalities; speed, restraints, drugs and alcohol, intersections and high-risk drivers.

“We know that members of the public don’t want to share the road with people who perform dangerous maneuvres or who have had too much to drink. Therefore we are doing what we can to ensure the roads in Counties Manukau District are a safe place to drive.”

Disappointingly, 68 adults and 24 minors were found to be wearing incorrect restraints (or none at all). Additionally, 21 cars were impounded after being driven by disqualified drivers.

However on a positive note, as part of the operation over 1000 drivers were subject to a compulsory breath test and only one driver was found to have excess breath alcohol.

“The results we’ve found over the last week make it clear that people are still gambling with their lives on the road. We want to make it very clear that simply stopping at a red light or wearing your seatbelt can be the one thing that prevents a tragedy or saves your life.

“We hope that our activity this week has reminded people that obeying the road rules and being safe on the road will prevent crashes and road trauma. Stopping at a red light might hold you up for a minute, but it’s not worth risking your life or the lives of people to continue without stopping safely.

“We are continuing to attend crashes at intersections that can be prevented. Unfortunately on Friday afternoon we attended a crash at an intersection in Mangere. While there were no serious injuries this time, the intersection was blocked for a long time in rush hour traffic, the two cars received extensive damage and the occupants never made it to their destinations.

“The rules here are simple. If the light is red you must stop, no exceptions,” says Inspector Fisher.

ENDS

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