Canterbury Police will be out in force on all of the main state highway holiday routes this Easter weekend - enforcing speed, alcohol, seat-belts, unsafe passing and other trauma promoting offences.
Extra staff are rostered on duty for the holiday period which runs from 4.00pm, Thursday 21 April until 6.00am, on Tuesday 26 April. Twelve people died on the roads nationally last Easter.
"The Easter holiday period has traditionally resulted in a relatively high number of crashes resulting in serious injury or death. We want to change that picture this year," says Inspector Al Stewart, Canterbury Road Policing Manager.
"We are asking drivers to be patient with other road users, ensure they plan their trip and get plenty of rest, breaking the journey up wherever possible," says Inspector Stewart.
There will be high visibility police patrols throughout the Canterbury District, including Christchurch's suburban areas.
Drivers need to be aware that police will be taking action where officers find any driver travelling at 5 km/h or more over the posted speed limit. This is in line with the nationally lowered holiday period speed tolerance level.
"Canterbury police will be targeting drivers who fall below the required standard of safe driving. There will be more people on the roads, especially in and out of Christchurch to the holiday centres as people take time out after the earthquakes and enjoy the school holidays.
"Using your headlights throughout the trip enhances visibility, especially in adverse weather conditions which are likely at this time of year," Inspector Stewart says. "As always, slower drivers and those towing trailers and caravans, are urged to closely watch their mirrors and to pull over when they can safely do so.
"Please make sure that both you and your vehicle are in good condition for the long trip, and at any time you are on the roads. Be courteous and safe at all times.
There's also some tips that drivers using Christchurch city and suburban streets can do to improve traffic flows and minimise tensions at roundabouts and other intersections.
• Avoid blocking intersections - if you can't get through in one movement then wait until it is safe to enter and exit. This is particularly important at the Deans Avenue/Riccarton Road roundabout, and at the Johns Road - Memorial Avenue to Sawyers Arms Road area.
• Use all the available lanes.
• Observe changes to road layout, markings and signs that are there to help traffic flow.
• Comply with the temporary speed limits.
• Keep the entrances to side roads open - queuing across them blocks the flow.
• Be careful around road work sites and follow the directional areas at all times.
• Remember that people are working on the road at night and in bad weather to fix infrastructure - please be careful when driving or riding in these areas.
"Look after your mates and family, and don't let a moment of frustration on the roads lead to a bad decision. We want you and your family to get to your destination and home again safely."
Ends
Media Contact:
Inspector Al Stewart: telephone (03) 3637417
or
Christchurch Police Media Liaison team: 027 432 0960
ChchPoliceMediaLiason@police.govt.nz