Drivers of rental vehicles assessed to be driving dangerously and erratically are having their rental contracts quashed.
Acting Senior Sergeant Andy Lyes, of Greymouth, says police received numerous driver complaints yesterday, some concerning local drivers, and one rental driver had his contract removed by the rental company after police intervention.
"We had a report of very poor driving on Seven Mile Road, at Runanga. In this case we consulted the rental company and the driver was removed from the contract, with another person taking over as the main driver," Snr Sgt Lyes said.
"We make sure the new driver is not worse than the other one."
Among complaints yesterday were of vehicles crossing the centre-line dangerously.
"We ring the rental companies especially if there have been multiple complaints about the same vehicle. They (the rental company) will make the decision whether or not to cancel the rental policy rather than take the risk."
In extreme driving cases where there had been repeated complaints, police could also take the keys off drivers, he said.
"They can't drive but we don't just let them stand on the road or leave them stranded. We do what we can to ensure they get another form of transport."
Police were also aware some drivers might attempt to rent a vehicle using another name.
Taking keys and contacting rental companies to start a process of cancelling contracts happened periodically, he said.
"It gets assessed as a possibility every time we engage with a driver and every now and again we have to do it.
"It's not always overseas drivers either. Yesterday we had a couple of locals; they tend to be worse because they are going faster."
- By Chris Tobin