Zero tolerance for speed at weekend

Northland road policing manager Inspector Murray Hodson is warning drivers they will be stopped this Labour Weekend if they are seen to be driving badly. Photo / John Stone

Northland police are hoping drivers caught travelling at "ridiculous speeds" yesterday isn't a sign of what's to come for Labour Weekend motorists.

Police stopped four motorists speeding in a 45-minutes period, one of whom was eating a pie while travelling 20 km/h above the speed limit.

Two drivers were caught speeding on Pipiwai Rd yesterday morning, one doing 133km/h and a forestry worker doing 120km/h eating his pie on his way to work.

Another driver was stopped on State Highway 1 north of Hikurangi doing 115km/h and a man driving through a 50km/h road work site at 103km/h had his license suspended for 28 days.

Police didn't catch up to a driver travelling at 156km/h up past Fonterra on the passing lane at SH1 at Kauri. Senior sergeant John Fagan said it was frustrating for police to see drivers travelling at this speed.

"We are not happy campers," he said.

"I hope it's not an indication of what is to come."

Northland road policing manager inspector Murray Hodson echoed Mr Fagan's comments and is warning motorists that police will be highly visible on the state highway network and rural roads during the long weekend.

Once again police will be enforcing a zero tolerance to drivers travelling more than 4 km/h over the posted speed limit.

Every driver who is stopped either at a checkpoint or a random stop will be breath tested.

Mr Hodson is encouraging anyone who sees poor driving behaviour to call *555.

"We will act on it immediately if there is a patrol car in the area or follow up later if you can give us the as much detail on the offending car including the registration number" he said.

Drivers need to be patient and take a break every two hours to avoid fatigue, Mr Hodson said.

There will be fatigue stops at Uretiti on SH1 today and again on Monday.

Last year Northland highway patrol Sergeant Chris Goodall praised motorists for "bucking the trend" and giving the region a Labour Weekend largely free of major road incidents.

While more than 10 people were caught driving with excess breath alcohol and others were booked for speeding, none of the long weekend's seven road fatalities around the country had been in Northland.