Canterbury police are warning motorists on the region's mountain passes to slow down - after a weekend operation netted more than 20 speeding drivers.
Senior Sergeant Phil Newton of the Canterbury Highway Patrol says police issued 21 notices for drivers exceeding the 100kmph speed limit on Lewis Pass on Friday evening [12 July].
More than half of those notices were issued for speeds recorded at more than 20 kmph over the limit.
"We are extremely concerned at the number of motorists who are failing to adjust their speed to the hazardous winter road conditions," he says.
"The drivers caught at the weekend were all travelling at excessive speed while it was snowing or when there was ice and grit on the road.
"This is unacceptable driving behaviour - and these motorists are putting themselves and other road users at risk.
"If there's snow on the road it should be automatic to slow down and take extreme care."
Senior Sergeant Newton says extra police had been assigned to work in the Lewis Pass area because it had been identified as a high risk area during winter months.
Since Police have increased enforcement action on State Highway 7 in the Lewis Pass area there has been a 100% reduction in fatal crashes in the five years since 2008.
ENDS