Counties Manukau Police want to see everyone enjoying their long weekend safely by slowing down, driving to the conditions, and staying alert and sober.
“Operation One Piece” will get underway in Counties Manukau from 4pm on Friday 24 October and ends at 6am on Tuesday 28 October. The operation will work to prevent road fatalities in the District over the holiday weekend, which is a time that is traditionally perceived to hold a higher crash risk than normal weekends.
Counties Manukau Police Road Policing Manager Inspector Neil Fisher says the team will be doing the best they can to ensure there are no serious crashes over the weekend but are also asking for help from the public.
“Police vehicles will be highly visible around the District this weekend in an effort to get people to slow down,” says Inspector Fisher. “If you crash – regardless of the cause – speed is the single factor that most affects the outcome. Excessive speed leads to loss of control. It’s the difference between no injury, serious injury or death and we ask that our road users keep this in mind and make the right decision to lower their speed.”
A fatigue stop will be set up at Drury, south of the city just off State Highway One, on Friday from 4pm to refresh drivers before they embark on a long journey. The Counties Manukau Road Policing team will be set up with partners including Auckland Transport to distribute road safety advice and undertake car safety checks.
“Tired drivers are more likely to make mistakes,” says Inspector Fisher. "We hope that by providing a place for motorists to pull over and take a few moments to refresh, we can prevent crashes further on in their journey.
"Two thirds of all Labour Weekend deaths happen on the open road. Last year there was only one fatality in the whole country and it would be great to beat that this year with zero fatalities.
“However, we really need drivers to take care and make good decisions when behind the wheel,” says Inspector Fisher.
For the holiday period, anyone who drives more than 4kph over the permanent posted speed limit is liable to be ticketed.
ENDS
Issued by Kimberley Mathews/Communications Manager, Counties Manukau
09 263 2702
021 192 0717
