Tūrangi police warning about drink-driving falls on deaf ears

A police drink-drive checkpoint. Photo / File

Kia ora koutou. Those of you who read my report in the paper last week or online would have seen I specifically mentioned that Tūrangi Police would be conducting drink-drive checkpoints around town last weekend. Taupō Police sent a team down and between us we stopped around 30 cars each night, a high number for Tūrangi, and breath tested every driver.

Disappointingly, it seems some people didn't get the message and made some real dumb decisions. On Friday night we picked up six drivers over the limit. By Saturday evening people were starting to get the idea, but we still had one driver who failed the breath test.

Of these seven, five were over the upper limit of 400 micrograms per litre of breath, which means they will be facing criminal charges in court, loss of their licence, possible loss of their job and all the stress and harm that comes with it. What's really disappointing to me personally is that these were all people I'd regard as being otherwise good community members and I would have expected them to be more responsible, knowing the impact that a drink-drive conviction could have on them and their families.

The other two drivers recorded breath alcohol limits between 250mcg and 400mcg which earned them an $200 instant infringement notice and a hefty 50 demerit points. For those of you who don't know, if you earn 100 demerit points or more within a two-year period, you will lose your licence for three months.

Sergeant Te Reipa Morunga, Tūrangi Police. Photo / File

While some of our drivers weren't over the limit by much, people need to realise that it doesn't take much drink to get you there and it's not worth the risk. These drink-drive checkpoints will continue, so be responsible and if you're going to be drinking, find another way to get home. We're also aware of where our over-the-limit drivers last weekend had their last drinks and we'll be speaking to the organisations concerned.

I'd like to finish on a positive note by thanking the community for their help in identifying the young man on the quad bike pictured in our police report last week. He's come under a lot of pressure from his family and the community, we will be speaking to him and he will be dealt with.

Kia pai tō wiki, Te Reipa.