31km/h over limit - but ABs coach is let off

Graham Henry. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A police crackdown on speeding drivers over Labour Weekend netted All Blacks coach Graham Henry - but he reportedly escaped a fine despite exceeding the speed limit by 31km/h.

TV3 reported last night that Henry was caught driving at 81km/h in a 50km/h zone on Auckland's waterfront on Friday night.

Police had warned that over Labour Weekend, motorists driving at more than 4km/h over the limit would face penalties.

But Henry was let off without punishment.

TV3 reported that Henry told the police officer who pulled him over that he had been overtaking another vehicle.

The incident was believed to have happened on Tamaki Drive about 10pm, the night before Henry and the All Blacks flew to Hong Kong.

Police this morning said reports that "a prominent New Zealander" was left off a speeding fine because of who he was were incorrect.

Auckland City District Commander, Superintendent George Fraser said that five motorists had been stopped on Tamaki Drive by an officer "not yet fully certified to issue legal offence notices using radar speed detection equipment".

"All five motorists were warned about speeding and had their vehicles checked for current warrant and registration status," Mr Fraser said.

"None were issued with speeding tickets due to the fact that the Police Officer could not issue a legally valid infringement notice after having used speed detection equipment."

Exceeding the speed limit by more than 30km/h would have cost Henry 40 demerit points and a $300 fine.

All Blacks media manager Joe Locke said last night that Henry had "nothing to say" on the matter.

"He has asked me to say that he's not commenting - that's it."

Last week, national road policing manager Superintendent Paula Rose said staff would be out in force and would take action against anyone speeding or driving inconsiderately.

Eight people died on the road over the holiday weekend in what Ms Rose said were avoidable crashes caused by alcohol, speeding and crossing the centre line. Police were devastated by the road toll. Ms Rose did not return calls last night.

Dog and Lemon motoring guide editor Clive Matthew-Wilson said it was "utterly hypocritical to treat Graham Henry any different than anyone else".

He said it was a bad look for police if they adopted a strict anti-speeding policy but let a famous person off for exceeding the limit by 30km/h.

ESCAPE
* Driving 81km/h in 50km/h zone: $300 fine
* For Graham Henry: $0