Police are generally happy with behaviour on Otago roads over the long weekend, but concerns remain about the number of drunk and speeding drivers.
New Otago Coastal team leader road policing Senior Sergeant Jared Kirk said last week he wanted to wake up after Queen’s Birthday Weekend and find there had been no serious injury crashes in the region — and he got his wish.
But his staff were flat tack dealing with minor crashes caused by icy conditions as temperatures plummeted on winter’s arrival, especially in Clutha where "frost and ice hit very hard", he said.
"Ice managed to catch a few people out.
"Speeds were generally down as motorists drove to the conditions the best they could."
However, police were disappointed with the number of drink-drivers apprehended, especially in Dunedin where a dozen blew more than the old limit of 400mcg of alcohol per litre of breath, meaning they faced criminal charges.
In 2014, the limit was lowered to 250mcg. Drivers with breath-alcohol between 251mcg and 400mcg face a $200 fine and 50 demerit points.
"There were 14 processed in the Dunedin region alone from Friday through to Sunday. Twelve of these will result in a court appearance.
"There were also drink-drivers caught in South Otago.
"These numbers are high and are disappointing."
Two drivers caught by police travelling at about 50kmh over the speed limit also marred an otherwise good long weekend, including one young man on a restricted licence who was racing to get home before the licence’s 10pm curfew began, Snr Sgt Kirk said.
"An 18-year-old male on restricted licence was recorded at 146kmh on State Highway 1 north of Dunedin, because he wanted to get home before breaching his conditions of his licence.
"His licence has been subsequently suspended for 28 days."
Another driver was caught at 152kmh near Omarama.
