Central Otago Police clocked three drivers – two who were overseas visitors, allegedly travelling at excessive speeds during the holiday break – one overseas driver allegedly driving at a whopping 170km/hr on 28 December.

Otago Lakes Central Acting Area Roading Policing Manager Sergeant Derek Ealson says that overseas driver will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 5 January charged with driving at dangerous speed. His vehicle was impounded and his licence suspended for 28 days. Another overseas driver was caught allegedly travelling at 135km/hr on the open road in the Maniototo area on Boxing Day.

“He had previously had his driver’s licence suspended for 28 days for a similar offence and was awaiting his court appearance,” Ealson says. The man was given a speeding ticket, and his vehicle was impounded for 28 days.  Another male driver was allegedly clocked at 141km/hr in the same Maniototo area on Boxing Day. He was issued with a speeding ticket and his driver’s licence was suspended for 28 days. Police have recently aired concerns about some of the high speeds reached by both overseas and New Zealand drivers, in some areas around the region.

“There’s simply no excuse for speeding,” Ealson says. “The speed limitis just that – a limit – not a target. This summer we want all road users travelling throughout Aotearoa to get to and from their destinations safely.

“We expect people to drive safely within the legally posted speed limit and depending on the conditions that may be slower than the limit,” he says. “Speed and travelling too fast for the conditions are contributing factors in almost all crashes resulting in serious injury or death, regardless of the cause.”

Ealson says Central Otago Police have been out in force on the region’s roads during the holiday period “with a focus on maintaining and enforcing road safety”.

More than 3600 drivers were breath tested locally during that time.

“There was good compliance, except for New Year’s Day when six drivers were caught drink driving,” Ealson says.

“Drivers need to be clear that if they are detected exhibiting any unsafe behaviours, they will be caught and be ticketed or face further enforcement action.”

He says Police know there are four main behaviours which contribute to death and injury on our roads; people driving too fast for the conditions,

driving while impaired (by alcohol, drugs, or fatigue), driving whiledistracted – including using a cell phone – and not being properly

restrained.

“You can expect to see Police anywhere, anytime on the road to deter any dangerous behaviour that impacts the safety of road users.”