Unsafe driving on SH 65 – motorists urged to slow down

Unsafe driving on State Highway 65 has resulted in a number of fines and charges in the past 48 hours and Police are urging motorists to slow down.

As part of Operation Seven, which involves monitoring driver behaviour on the inland route between Christchurch and Nelson, Police have noticed a significant number of people crossing the centre line at bends.

Fourteen people were stopped for crossing the centre line near Mauria on State Highway 65 during a four-hour period on Sunday.

Yesterday, 21 people were stopped for the same issue during an eight-hour period between 9:30am and 4:30pm.

Several more people have been seen crossing the line today.

Acting Inspector Leairne Dow, Road Policing Manager for Canterbury, says the majority had at least one wheel completely over the centre.

“Motorists are travelling too fast for the conditions, risking other people’s lives.

“Each and every one of these incidents could have resulted in a tragic death had they collided with oncoming traffic.

“Yesterday, a heavy motor vehicle which swerved off the highway as it attempted to avoid another incoming vehicle which had crossed the centre line.

Fortunately, no one was injured.”

The alleged offending vehicle was stopped on Springs Junction some time later and enquiries are ongoing to establish exactly what happened.

There has been heavy rainfall across the region this week, which increases the risk on our roads.

“Poor weather is no excuse for poor driving,” says Acting Inspector Dow.

“It is always the responsibility of the motorist to drive to the conditions.”

The charges for those stopped will range from failing to keep left, which results in a $150 fine and 20 demerit points, to careless driving charges.

Anyone witnessing hazardous driving on the route is encouraged to call *555 for free when safe to do so with the offending vehicle description or registration number.

ENDS

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