Police road safety programme over-runs

Ruapehu Bulletin, 11 July 1995, Page 11

Police road safety programme over-runs

At their meeting Friday 30 June Ruapehu District councillors heard that, despite cost over-runs associated with the Safety Administration Programme over the past nine months, Wanganui Police District Headquarters have resolved to continue enforcement action with the programme. According to a paper presented to the Council by its roading asset manager and based on a report from the Police, "the SAP programme will be well over the budgeted amount by the end of the financial year". The report states that various outputs have exceeded their target for the entire year with drink-dri ver control and speed enforcement contributing significantly to the cost overruns. A total of 1209 infringement notices and 229 traffic offence notices have been issued since 4 July 1994 for various breaches to the traffic laws. These offences (drink driving and excessive speed) are also the main contributing factor to motor vehicle crashes involving fatalities and serious injury. Police officers stopped 4168 vehicles at compulsory breath test check points between 4 July 1994 and 30 April 1995. A total of 573 tests were conducted resulting in 85 evidential breath tests and 28 blood tests being processed. Ruapehu District continues to maintain a very low fatal crash rate according to the report with four fatal crashes being reported in the nine month period covered. Several SAP campaigns have been run in the Ruapehu

District since December last year including one over the Christmas/New Year period which targeted the drinking driver and speeding motorist as well as the slower driver who created long lines of traffic. In February operation 'Back to School' reminded motorists of the need to be aware of school children who were starting or returning to school. A student vehicle checking scheme was also conducted during the review period with four adult students and a

police officer visiting Raetihi, Ohakune, Waiouru and Taumarunui. Over Easter operation 'Visual Impact' was carried out with Police officers maintaining a high public profile with the aim of targeting speeding and drinking drivers and, following the enactment of new legislation involving seat belts and child restraints, operation 'Restraints' was conducted. Further campaigns are planned.