Murray Hewitson
South Otago drivers with excess demerit points were
targeted in a police operation last weekend.
Acting Sergeant Murray Hewitson, of Balclutha, said five
drivers had their licences confiscated during Operation Big
Picture.
Police had a list of about 20 drivers who had accumulated
demerit points from "accident-enhancing offences", and served
five of them at the weekend.
Icy road conditions around South Otago led to a spate of car
accidents and police urged motorists to take more care.
Acting Sgt Hewitson said between Thursday and Sunday, there
were four car accidents from Clinton to the Manuka Gorge
where the drivers had hit patches of ice and lost control of
their cars.
Two cars in Clinton slid off the road and into ditches, with
no injuries to the occupants.
One driver travelling through the Manuka Gorge clipped a car
travelling in the opposite direction when she hit ice, again
with no injuries, while a male driver and two passengers were
taken to Dunedin Hospital with minor injuries after their car
hit ice and crashed in the Manuka Gorge.
Acting Sgt Hewitson reminded drivers to plan their trips,
leave earlier and drive to the conditions.
A Kaitangata man is facing charges of cultivating cannabis
after police seized 18 plants, some dry material and growing
equipment on Saturday.
Constable Chris Wakelin said police attending an address on a
driving-related matter noticed a strong smell of cannabis.
Hydroponic growing equipment used in the cultivation was also
recovered. he said.
The man will appear in the Balclutha District Court on July
26.
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