With people are still dying on New Zealand roads, police want to reduce the loss of life and the harm caused to people involved in crashes.
'A new fleet of unmarked vehicles will support our ability to prevent deaths and injuries on the road,” says Acting National Manager for Road Policing, Inspector Peter McKennie.
'Our officers are out there patrolling the roads every day in an attempt to stop people being killed or injured.
'They are visible across the country in our marked cars, and some are also working in unmarked patrol vehicles, all having a significant impact on making New Zealand roads safer.
'Unmarked vehicles are particularly effective in detecting high risk behaviours such as driving while not wearing seatbelts, driving while impaired, driving distracted, and travelling at unsafe speeds.
'We know that speed has the biggest impact on the outcome of a crash – whether you walk away, or are carried away.
'That is why we unapologetically continue to focus on stopping people speeding on the roads.”
Over the next three months, motorists will start seeing unmarked Holden Equinox vehicles patrolling the roads in their area, with a total of 24 unmarked vehicles being used to deter risky driving.
The vehicles will come in a range of colours, so will blend in with any other car on the road.
This means motorists should be mindful that any other car driving around them could be a Police vehicle.
'Police are committed to reducing the number of people being killed or injured on the roads.
'Too many people are losing their lives, and the unmarked vehicles will encourage people to think twice about engaging in risky driving behaviour.
'We want motorists to be conscious about driving safely at all times, expecting there to be a Police presence on the roads, anytime, anywhere.
'The vast majority of road users simply want to get through their journeys safely. These vehicles increase our ability to ensure that by enabling police to more effectively deter, detect and apprehend those who put people's safety at risk, including those who habitually drive in an unsafe manner but modify their driving in the presence of marked Police vehicles.”
4 comments
only 24 cars
Posted on 16-07-2020 09:27 | By hapukafin
24 cars are not going to patrol much of the country.Drivers education and stiffer fines are required.A plain clothed policeman at Chapel ,Elizabeth and 11th lights will catch all the phone and belt infringment they want.Im not along Chapel St very offten but have had two woman drivers all but crossing the centerline looking at phones heading towards me only to swerve back when I toot/.
Be safe or be fined
Posted on 16-07-2020 09:39 | By red
This article suggests that the police are threatening the general public to be safe on the roads, and intentionally causing paranoia. Threatening people for driving badly doesn't help anyone, improvIng the skill level of NZ drivers does.
@ red
Posted on 16-07-2020 14:28 | By Yadick
If you're not driving safely on the road then you shouldn't be out there. The fine is not a threat fromthe Police, it's a consequence and a much cheaper consequence than what can result from unsafe driving. Stay safe out there red - it's better for you, it's better for others.
We all know...
Posted on 17-07-2020 02:27 | By morepork
... there are people who drive and use their phones, are inconsiderate and selfish, and sometimes downright stupid in their cars, because we see them every day. I don't see this as a "Police threat"; I see it as fair warning that there will be mufti patrols as well as marked cars. Drive safely, get your cell phone hands free, and you'll have nothing to worry about. You might even prevent someone being killed or maimed. (I wonder if the mufti ones will keep their hats on... :-))
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