A number of drivers have had their licences suspended after being caught exceeding the speed limit in a side road to avoid roadworks along the Raumati Straights, State Highway 1, in Kapiti.
"Because of the road works, some motorists travelling near Mackays Crossing south of Paraparaumu are taking a detouralong Emerald Glen Rd in an attempt to get ahead of the traffic, but are instead putting themselves and other road users at risk with selfish and unsafe behaviour," Wellington district road policing manager Inspector Mike Wright said.
"In the space of an hour, seven motorists attempting to avoid the roadworks along the Raumati Straits had their driver licences suspended when they were caught by police travelling in excess of 40kmh above the posted 50kmh speed limit on Emerald Glen Road.
"The highest speed detected was more than 60kmh above the safe posted speed limit."
Mr Wright said while motorists are free to use alternative routes to avoid the roadworks, they still must respect the safe posted speed limit, or risk police attention.
"Police staff will continue to monitor these alternate routes and will respond to any instances of poor or dangerous driver behaviour accordingly.
"Similar behaviour has also been reported on the Paekakariki Hill Road, and speed and safety enforcement along this route will also continue to be a focus for district road policing officers on this road while the works are in place."
