Cops focus on 'fatal five' factors

Of 650 drivers stopped at police traffic checkpoints around Wanganui on Boxing Day, only three were charged with drink-driving.

A vehicle was detected by ground patrols travelling at 135km/h on SH3 near Wanganui.

The driver was trying to avoid patrols by leaving the highway and speeding on rural roads but a fixed-wing plane being used by Central Districts police directed the patrols on the ground, who intercepted the driver.

A motorhome reported travelling dangerously on SH1 near Foxton was located by the plane about 25km from where it was first reported.

Central District road policing manager Inspector David White said the privately owned motor home overtook cars up to five times and tailgated other vehicles before a patrol stopped it.

Mr White said that, generally, driving behaviour had been good.

There were no accidents during the torrential downpour late on Boxing Day afternoon, which was an indication that drivers were paying attention to the changed driving conditions and altering their behaviour.

Police were using a fixed-wing aircraft this holiday season in their efforts to reduce the risks to motorists travelling through the central North Island, he said. The plane was assisting ground patrols apprehend those drivers who put others' lives at risk with dangerous driving.

"It also helps us identify slow drivers who hold traffic up and cause others to become frustrated and then take risky actions."

The plane was used to assist with monitoring traffic flow to and from the two big Boxing Day events: motorcycle racing in Wanganui and horse racing at Awapuni in Palmerston North.

The officers in the plane reported that while the traffic flow was very heavy, driver behaviour in general was good.

"This holiday period we're focusing on the fatal five - speed, seatbelts, alcohol, distraction, and fatigue. These factors can have a huge effect on road safety. The use of the plane is just another tool alongside speed detection, camera vans, checkpoints, and plain vehicles that we are using in the Central District in an effort to reduce the crash rate."

A 58-year old Taumarunui man died when his car left road on SH4, 5km north of Taumarunui, around 1pm on Boxing Day.

"One life has already sadly been lost on Central District roads this holiday period. We want everyone to have a holiday without it being marred by disaster or death on our roads. Please remember to drive to survive this season," Mr White said.