Western Bay police will give motorists a piece of paper that will make them smile rather than frown over Labour Weekend.
The owner of five Western Bay McDonald's Family Restaurants, John Warder, has donated 200 Big Mac Combo vouchers for police to dish out to drivers whose vehicles and licences are
compliant and up-to-date.
Mr Warder said police had a tough job and the vouchers offered officers a way to reward drivers who had made the effort to obey the law. He hoped the reward of a free meal would generate a more positive feeling towards police.
Police officers from the Traffic Alcohol Group (TAG), Strategic Traffic Unit as well as general duties staff will stop vehicles at checkpoints, mostly in Mount Maunganui and Papamoa, between Friday and Monday evenings.
Organiser, Mount Maunganui Police Community Constable Gaylene Macfarlane, said the stops were a chance to reward good behaviour on Western Bay roads.
"It's looking at safer communities and recognising those that do make the effort and are up-to-scratch. It would be nice to say well done."
Police will be out in force over Labour Weekend monitoring drivers' speed and checking their vehicles.
A reduced speed tolerance will also apply after a trial at Queen's Birthday Weekend resulted in fewer crashes on the country's roads.
Anyone caught driving more than 4km/h over the speed limit between 4pm Friday and 6am Tuesday would be fined.
The NZ Transport Agency was supporting police in the effort to achieve a fatality-free Labour weekend on New Zealand roads.
Chief executive Geoff Dangerfield said targeted road safety messaging on state highways, and radio and television advertising would kick off today. "This approach refuses to accept that any road death is inevitable."
AA General Manager Motoring Affairs Mike Noon also reminded drivers to rest before travelling and allow plenty of time for breaks along the way.
"The roads will be busy, people will be driving long distances and there will be plenty of potential distractions."
