Canterbury Police Acting Road Policing Manager, Senior Sergeant Scott Richardson urges people to speak up and stop a mate or family member driving if they have taken drugs or consumed excess alcohol.
"Impaired drivers make up about one third of all serious injury and fatal crashes. While Police and road safety agencies continue to target impaired driving though enforcement, education and a range of other initiatives, this isn't a problem Police can fix on their own. We also need the help of family, friends and whanau, who play a key role in stopping the person getting behind the wheel in the first place. Or, they can contact Police if they have concerns about someone’s ability to drive after consuming alcohol or taking drugs.”
"While there has been a decline in the number of people issued infringement notices since the lower blood alcohol levels came into effect on 1 December 2014, and generally fewer people caught at higher levels of intoxication, there are still a few drivers we catch with very high breath alcohol readings, in some cases many times over the new limit. These people have not just had one or two glasses of wine too many and they definitely shouldn’t be driving on our roads" says Senior Sergeant Richardson.
“Canterbury Police take an anytime anywhere approach to breath testing and any drivers stopped by Police on Canterbury roads should expect to be breath tested. As part of Canterbury Police’s commitment to preventing harm those drivers who repeatedly come to Police attention for exceeding the alcohol limits will remain a focus for patrols. However it is better to stop these drivers getting behind the wheel in the first place rather than stopping them while they are driving on our roads. For this we need the help of the community.”
"Worryingly, some of these high readings are not limited to the late evening or very early hours of the morning as you might expect. It is concerning that some of these drivers are being caught with alcohol levels several times over the legal limit at 9am in the morning and 3.30pm in the afternoon, when many of us are going to work or children are travelling to and from school. Often, these high day-time readings are from drivers with wider alcohol or drug dependency issues.”
Canterbury Police encourage anyone who has a friend, family member or neighbour with drug or alcohol issues who continues to drive to say something. There can be a lot of secrecy and stigma associated with addictions and sometimes it’s the intervention of a neighbour, a friend or a just a concerned member of the community who speaks up that can make a difference.
"If you know the person, speak to them. The fact that someone cares enough to talk to them may be the push they need to get help. If you can't have that conversation, contact the Police or call Crimestoppers anonymously. Your call could help to save a life or stop someone being seriously injured for life" explained Senior Sergeant Richardson.
If you, your friend or family member wants assistance with alcohol or drug addiction, encourage them to contact the Drug and Alcohol Help Line 0800 787 797, e-mail ada@adanz.org.nz or visit www.adictionshelp.org.nz
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404