Drivers snapped failing to keep left on Central Otago roads have been issued with $150 fines, but their actions could have been deadly, police say.
Yesterday, police released pictures to the Otago Daily Times showing motorists - including one towing a caravan - crossing double yellow lines on roads around Central Otago in recent months.
The pictures were ''just some examples of unsafe and dangerous driving behaviour'', Senior Sergeant Steve Larking, acting Southern district road policing manager, said.
He confirmed all the drivers had been contacted and issued with $150 infringement notices for failing to keep left.
''When a driver crosses the centre line and becomes involved in a head-on crash, they are highly likely to suffer either death or life-changing serious injury, or inflict that trauma on someone else.''
Snr Sgt Larking said Southern roads would be extremely busy this summer, and ''our message to drivers is: keep left and drive within your own lane for everyone's safety''.
Motorists were urged to prepare for the trip, and ''if you are having trouble concentrating or feeling tired you must pull over and have a rest''.
There are various steps a driver can take such as stopping for a 20-minute nap or sharing the driving.
Police wanted everyone to be safe travelling on the roads over the holiday period, and would be highly visible while targeting unsafe driving behaviour, Snr Sgt Larking said.
People should be careful about mixing driving with alcohol, and make sure they had options to get home safely.
Host responsibility meant providing transport options, providing non-alcoholic alternatives for drivers and ensuring people who had been drinking were not tempted to drive home, he said.
Driving tips
Avoiding fatigue to improve alertness for your holiday driving. -
• Get plenty of sleep before your journey, and try to drive at times of the day when you are normally awake.
• If possible, share the driving.
• Take your time and plan for rest breaks every couple of hours. Get out of your vehicle and take a short walk or do some other exercise.
• And if you feel tired, take a short nap (less than 40 minutes).
• Don't drink and drive, don't speed. Many fatigue crashes involve these two factors.
• Use air conditioning if your vehicle has it. While it will increase fuel consumption, cool air will also keep you more alert and help avoid frustration and stress - a major causes of fatigue.
SOURCE: NEW ZEALAND POLICE
