"Make this Queen's Birthday weekend one to remember"

Before you hit the road for the long weekend please take a moment to make sure you're prepared for your journey and ready to take extreme care on the roads.

Tragically, five people were killed on New Zealand roads during the Queen's Birthday weekend last year and 117 were injured.

Counties Manukau Police wants to see everyone slowing down, driving to the conditions and staying alert and sober. The official holiday period begins from 4pm on Friday the 29 May and finishes at 6am on Tuesday 2 June.

Police will be once again enforcing a reduced speed threshold. Anyone travelling more than 4km/h over the limit may be ticketed and all speed cameras will be set to the reduced threshold.

“We're doing this because we know reductions in speed can save lives,” says Counties Manukau Road Policing Manager Inspector Alison Brand. “Extra Police will be out patrolling the roads, but we can't do it all alone. We need the public to help keep the roads safe. It comes down to simple things like planning your journey and driving fresh so you reach your destination safely."

Counties Manukau Road Policing team and Auckland Transport will be at BP in Papakura, on the south bound side of the Southern Motorway on Friday from 6pm to remind drivers to take regular breaks while on a long journey.

“Tired drivers are more likely to make mistakes,” says Inspector Brand.

"Taking a few moments to pull over and refresh can help prevent crashes on our roads."

Inspector Brand says anyone who notices anyone driving dangerously can report it by calling *555.

Police will be actively targeting drink and drug impaired drivers, speedsters, and those who don't wear a safety belt or fail to buckle their in children in.

ENDS

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