Motorists dob in dangerous drivers via *555

Northland motorists have had enough of "crazy behaviour" and are dobbing in high-risk drivers to police.
As holiday traffic floods Northland over the festive break, officers patrolling the roads have reported high traffic volumes but relatively well behaved motorists - with no major crashes.
One driver who attracted police attention was a German tourist nabbed driving over 140km/h near Hukerenui on Boxing Day. The 19-year-old had his licence suspended and the rental car towed.
The region's road toll stands at 22 and is on track to be one of the lowest on record.
Senior officers are pleased drivers who are breaking the law or driving dangerously have been dobbed in by fellow road users via the *555 phone line.
Highway Patrol Sergeant Chris Goodall said motorists were keen to use the *555 number to report drivers making risky overtaking manoeuvres on double yellow lines or on corners.
"The public are taking their role seriously and reporting high risk drivers. They are not accepting this crazy behaviour and are taking a proactive role in road safety," Mr Goodall said.
"Our ability to keep the road safe is enhanced by the public having a role and jumping on the phone and letting us know."
He said when police received a *555 complaint they endeavoured to track down the offending driver which often resulted in an arrest or an infringement notice being issued.
A majority of drivers were complying with the road rules and abiding by the 5km/h speed tolerance with very few speeding tickets handed out. However, the number of disqualified and suspended drivers flouting the law and continuing to drive has shocked police.
A man stopped on a scooter on Christmas Eve allegedly blew 980mcg of alcohol per litre of breath and was a disqualified driver.
The same man was stopped again riding his scooter on Christmas Day on Bank St in central Whangarei.
In another incident on Boxing Day, a driver stopped at Ruakaka was suspended but was stopped again 30 minutes later near Kauri, north of Whangarei.
The traffic alcohol group have ben on the road with the booze bus and have caught a number of drunk drivers.
Sergeant Russell Windle said in the week before Christmas 12 drunk drivers were caught with six of those on Christmas Eve. A week earlier, 23 intoxicated drivers were nabbed over four days.
He warned the booze bus would be out on Northland roads over New Year's Eve and following morning.
Mr Goodall said the message for drivers over the summer holidays was the same as for the past 29 years he had been on the beat.
"People need to watch their speed, following distances and be patient and resist the temptation to dangerously overtake."