Police have slammed fireworks wielding ''idiots'' after people were spotted firing skyrockets from their cars.
Last night emergency services were kept busy following reports of people behaving inappropriately with fireworks, Senior Sergeant Dave Scott, of Dunedin, said.
In Oamaru the occupants of two vehicles fired skyrockets at other road users and also pedestrians.
While in Dunedin there were several reports of fireworks being set off in the middle of the road.
''Fireworks tends to bring out the idiots in people.''
Police would have no hesitation in charging a person ``if they caused an injury to another person'', he said.
Last year the Fire Service attended 23 fireworks related fires in the lower South Island during the Guy Fawkes period.
Key hints fireworks ban close
Prime Minister John Key says a ban on fireworks appears to be coming closer, but he is reluctant for the Government to impose one immediately for fear of being accused of running a "nanny state".
The Government is not actively looking at changing in the rules on fireworks salesselect committee will this week consider a 25,000-signature petition calling for a ban. The online petition's organisers are fed up with the impact of fireworks displays on animals.
Mr Key said yesterday there had been a slow shift in New Zealand towards more community-led public displays, and there was now a greater recognition of the threat of fireworks to public safety and animal welfare.
He said the issue was raised every year, but he detected a gradual public groundswell towards a complete ban on private sales.
But he was not interested in leading this change yet. He was also wary that an immediate Government ban could be perceived as nanny state.
"You don't want to take away the last bit of fun that people have, but in reality they do present a risk both to pets and to personal safety."
The Government introduced stricter fireworks regulations in 2008 including a shorter period for sales, a higher purchase age, and restrictions on the size and power of products.
Those changes have led to a fall in the number of fireworks-related ACC claims, Fire Service callouts and hospital admissions.
By HAMISH McNEILLY and NZ HERALD
