Police given more powers to suspend driving licences

By KELLY BLANCHARD in Rotorua
People who evade being served notice after exceeding their demerit points for bad driving can now have their licences suspended by police.

Senior Sergeant Anna Jackson of the Rotorua Police Strategic Traffic Unit said there were several people still driving who had clocked up over 100 demerit points over a two-year period as a result of driving badly and speeding.

She said those who exceeded their demerit points often expected to be served notice by a document server employed by the Land Transport Safety Authority or the police.



Mrs Jackson said those drivers could now be issued with a three-month licence suspension if stopped by police.

The change comes with the passing of the Land Transport Amendment Bill allowing police to serve demerit point suspension notices on drivers at the roadside.

"It is a really useful tool for us and will reduce further the number of drivers on our roads that cause trauma," said Mrs Jackson.

"There are a lot of people out there in excess of 100 points and are driving when they shouldn't be because they haven't been served the letter."