In just six hours Canterbury Highway Patrol issued 40 drivers with infringement notices for crossing the centre line on a twisty section of SH1 near the Hundalee Hill range this weekend.
The infringement notice for driving onto the wrong side of the road on bends carries a $150 fine plus 20 demerit points.
Canterbury Police Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Phil Newton said “While some people may view driving on the wrong side of the road on bends acceptable, all too often this manner of driving ends with vehicles crashing. This is a very unsafe habit for all road users to get into as crossing the centre line is the only way two vehicles can have crash head on.”
“Some drivers appear to be of the opinion that their luck will never run out suggesting to officers that they can still swerve out of the way of an oncoming vehicle to avoid a crash. Sadly that is far from the truth and all too often we attend crash scenes where one vehicle has crossed the centre line and collided with another” explained Senior Sergeant Phil Newton.
“Remember it is not only your driving but that of the other road users and the risks they take that can increase the chance of a crash occurring. With the Cricket World Cup about to kick-off in Canterbury we are expecting an increase in traffic on our rural and city roads as visitors from New Zealand and overseas travel through the District to attend matches.”
“It is very disappointing that so many drivers were prepared to lose everything this Waitangi weekend for the sake of slowing down to take a bend safely. Our message is simple: stay within your lane when driving around bends” says Senior Sergeant Newton.
Canterbury Police Highway Patrols will continue to penalise unsafe driving behaviour including crossing the centre line in order to keep Canterbury roads safe for all road users.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404
