"Be the tortoise not the hare or driver beware warn Waikato Police"

Waikato Police say the motoring public have spoken and we've listened and the message is pretty clear that travellers want Police to help them be safe and feel safe on Waikato roads this Easter Holiday Weekend.

District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Freda Grace, the official holiday period said commences at 1600 hrs on Thursday 2 April and ends at 0600 hrs on Tuesday 7 April 2015.

"Over the recent Summer Holiday period the number of driver complaints from the public, known as 1Us, skyrocketed with drivers ringing up complaining about the speed and driver behaviour of other motorists.

"It wasn't unheard of us receiving 300 1Us over a weekend.

To us this signals a maturity in people's driving.

Where as 20 years ago people accepted drink driving this has changed and people are now less accepting of other poor driving behaviours."

Mrs Grace said Police have taken the public's concerns on board.

"This holiday weekend we will have additional staff out on the roads doing exactly what you've asked us to do, hold drivers to account for anti-social behaviour- that's speeding, dangerous, careless or reckless driving or any other behaviour that threatens people's safety.

"Part of our strategy for this weekend will include enforcement action for speeds in excess of 5km/h over posted speed limits and every driver stopped will be subject to breath screening.

"We'll also have a strong focus on offences that cause road trauma, such as failing to wear restraints or failing to secure children in theirs."

Mrs Grace said all Police staff, not just those dedicated to Road Policing have been made aware safety on our roads is a Waikato-wide priority.

"With the challenging nature of Waikato roads leading to popular holiday spots and the predicted greater traffic volumes it's very much a case of the tortoise and the hare scenario this weekend.

"The tortoise takes the cautious, planned approach, takes his time and arrives at the beach safely.

On the other hand the hare tears off, passes other road users in bad places, attracts the attention of the Police and then spends the rest of the weekend complaining how people are picking on him- who would you rather be?"

While the Waikato experienced a fatal free Easter Holiday period last year, nationally five families were left picking up the pieces after five fatal crashes last year.

"A fatal free holiday weekend isn't a flight of fancy if the motoring public work with Police to ensure our roads are a safe, social place.

"Remember that it's only a thin lick of paint that separates you from the other guy travelling towards you at a rate of knots and anyone can make a mistake.

That person is someone's mum, dad, son or daughter and what you do can make a difference.

Road safety is no accident."

End

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