Drink-driving blitz is a sober reminder

One person will die and 10 others will be seriously injured in vehicle crashes on roads south of the Waitaki River this festive season.

The figures are the averages for the past five Christmas periods, in which five people were killed, there were 50 crashes involving serious injury and 224 others resulting in injury.

Last year in the 12-day Christmas period, three people died in crashes (two in rural Otago and one in Dunedin), six people were seriously injured and there were a further 28 crashes in which people were injured.

Acting Southern District road policing manager Senior Sergeant Steve Larking said, "It's tragic that at this time of year there will be a number of people killed on our roads . . . and it could be a member of your family and friends."

Snr Sgt Larking said 27 people had died on southern roads so far in 2009 compared with a total of 33 in 2008.

Some of these crashes were caused by drink-drivers, he said.

Continuing from last weekend's "blitz" on alcohol-fuelled violence, Southern District police today will take part part in a nationwide anti-drink-drive campaign nicknamed Big Day Out.

"Alcohol is the most socially accepted, commonly used drug in New Zealand. It also contributes to around 30% of all fatal crashes on our roads," Snr Sgt Larking said.

Extra staff had been rostered on throughout the region to man checkpoints from midday today until early tomorrow.

Dunedin emergency response commander Inspector Alastair Dickie said there would be "mass testing" of drivers in the city at "highly visible checkpoints".

"We want to make sure that our message gets out there to every driver in the city, with no exceptions.

"The tragedy of a fatality at this time of year is something we hope to avoid and we do not want the holiday period to be marked by sadness for countless families."

sarah.harvey@odt.co.nz