Public's driving complaints lead to Waikato arrests

As they work to promote safer driving and urge drivers to watch this speed this summer Waikato Police are warning it’s not just their staff watching out for bad behaviour, the public are being vigilant as well.

District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Freda Grace, said Police have been noticing a steady climb in the number of driving complaints being made to Police by members of the public.

“These complaints are known as 1Us and we get them on a daily basis for anything from dangerous driving or high speeds through to concerns about the well being of a motorist or erratic behaviour.

“As an example, this week a Huntly based patrol stopped a vehicle on SH1 that the public had phoned up about in relation to the behaviour of a passenger in Auckland.

When our staff spoke to the occupants it turned out the driver had been drinking while driving south and he returned a breath alcohol reading of 373mgs while the passenger, who was also under the influence, claimed he had been leaning out of the window to see if he’d left his cell phone on the roof.

“Motorists also alerted us to a driver speeding near Hamilton.

This driver has had his license suspended for 28 days after he was recorded travelling at 101km/h in a 60km/h speed zone on Ruakura Rd.”

Mrs Grace said Police placed significant importance on responding to 1U complaints and wherever possible also tried to provide feedback to the public on any outcomes.

“Another example was over the weekend where Police received several complaints about a 4x4 weaving across the road on SH3 heading north towards Hamilton.

“Our staff tried to intercept the vehicle but there was limited information to hand where it went after it entered the City.

The vehicle later crashed into a fence at a Lorne St address but the driver then sped off.

Other motorists then alerted us to this vehicle being back on SH3 but this time heading south.”

Mrs Grace said because the information relayed to Police by the public included they type of car and its registration officers were able to then establish the identity of the driver and him asleep behind the wheel of the vehicle in the front yard of his property.

“The driver was taken away for a breath screening test and produced a result of 850mgs.

The investigation into the crash on Lorne St is still continuing and though the man was processed for excess breath alcohol we haven’t ruled out further charges.

“The message here to offending drivers is check your speed because while Police can’t be everywhere all the time we can be anywhere at any time and with the public acting as our eyes and ears, you will be held accountable.”

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