Source: New Zealand Police
Operation Safe Works begins in Canterbury next week with Police targeting speeding and dangerous driving around roadworks sites in Christchurch and the wider Canterbury area.
Acting Canterbury Road Policing Manager, Senior Sergeant Gerard Peoples says that Police are concerned about driver behaviour through roadworks sites within both urban and rural areas causing risk, and at times harm, to roadworkers and other road-users.
“There are far too many drivers exceeding the temporary speed limits and who are failing to comply with other traffic control measures.
“Motorists need to remember that these measures are in place to keep everyone safe, and this type of behaviour poses risks to roadworkers, other road-users, and yourself,” says Senior Sergeant Peoples.
Police are working with roading authorities and contractors over the next two weeks, conducting Operation Safe Works, which will focus on improving safety and preventing harm in and around roadworks sites.
Police will conduct high visibility operations to improve driver behaviour through educating drivers and taking enforcement action when required.
“Temporary set speeds are not a suggestion; they override the regular set speed for that area and should be treated with the same level of compliance as those permanent set speeds.
“I want to remind motorists that just because we are putting an increased focus on this for the next couple weeks, that doesn’t mean that enforcement action stops when the operation ends – you can expect to see us anywhere, anytime,” Senior Sergeant Peoples says.
Police remind the public that anyone who witnesses dangerous driving can make a report by calling 111, if it is happening now, or through 105 – with as much detail as possible – either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre