Police pleased after 'Monty' draws a blank

Motorists in the region pass through weekend blitz with flying colours
by Fiona Jarden and Simon Wood
Central Districts police are delighted after more than 2500 motorists passed through a weekend checkpoint without a single positive breath test.
Police officers breathalysed 2672 motorists between 3.30pm and 7.30pm at a checkpoint near Ohakea on Friday afternoon.
Senior Sergeant Kris Burbery said Operation Monty was a great success and hopefully an indication the safety message was getting through.
With the holiday season just around the corner, police are intensifying operations and cracking down on unsafe driving.
"The operation has been a great success. To stop so many vehicles and find no drink-drivers is fantastic and hopefully an indication that the safety messages are getting through," Mr Burberry said.
"What was also pleasing was the positive response from the motorists, with so many voicing their support and appreciation for what we were doing."
Central Districts communications manager Kim Perks said the sniffer picked up traces of alcohol on the breath of 30 drivers, but subsequent breath screening tests indicated these drivers were below the limit.
However, it wasn't all good news.
One motorist's vehicle was "pink stickered", meaning it was ordered off the road. Two drivers had their licenses suspended for excess demerit points and 63 infringement notices were issued.
Mr Burberry said enforcement was a necessary part of the operation but the main purpose was to re-enforce the road safety message.
"Christmas is a time when families and friends should be getting together to enjoy themselves, and we don't want these festivities marred by avoidable tragedies," he said.
A coalition of 25 police staff, Central District Traffic Alcohol Group (Booze Bus), ACC, St John Ambulance, Road Safe Central, New Zealand Fire Service from Bulls and Higgins Contractors were involved in Operation Monty.
Ms Perks said safety operations would continue throughout the festive season and beyond.
"We could spring up anywhere at any time," she warned.
The figures compare well with other areas. On the same night, 10 people were processed for drink driving at a checkpoint on SH2 near Horokiwi, Wellington.
Sergeant Glenn Marshall of Wellington Traffic Alcohol Group said police were concerned about the number of drivers processed for alcohol related offences coming from Christmas functions.
* One lane of the Desert Road was closed for about one hour on Saturday morning after a truck overturned. The driver suffered only minor injuries and the road was opened to traffic once the vehicle was cleared using a crane.