Editorial: Checks alert page a worry

Inspector Kevin Taylor

It seems crazy that in the same week we reported on how Kiwis are concerned about the reckless driving of some tourists, that we also have news of more than 10,000 people supporting Facebook pages that warn motorists about drink-driving checkpoints and speed cameras in the Bay.

In the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, Ruth Keber reported that the pages Tauranga Cop Stop, Tauranga/Mt/Pap Checkpoints and Bay of Plenty Cop Stops have regular posts about breath tests, registration and warrant checks, traffic issues and hidden speed cameras for drivers to avoid.

Read more about it here. Popular Facebook pages helping drivers avoid the law

The administrator of one of the pages told our reporter he didn't see the harm in it, and while he did not condone drink driving "there are people who can't afford a warrant or can't afford regos.

"They have a job between the hours outside learner licence hours. There are many reasons why people want to join it."

But the law is the law. And while there is no evidence that the owners of the pages, or people who like the pages intend to break the law, the fact remains that if you are not breaking the law and driving within driving rules, then why would you need to worry where checkpoints are anyway?

I agree with the stance of Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Kevin Taylor who said that while the pages were not unlawful, are people who support them really aware of the potential consequences?

" ... Those who assist law breakers, and in this case potential drink-drivers, need to consider this - we all share the roads, are you happy to share those roads with impaired drivers?"

On our Bay of Plenty Times Facebook page yesterday, most agreed with Mr Taylor, and there was little support for the pages.

Although one poster did describe police checkpoints as "mean az", another poster summed up the views of many. "Oh, it'll be a million laughs until it's revealed someone who dodged a checkpoint has gone on to kill someone. Mean as then, eh".