- Police inspected 54 vehicles and found serious faults in over one third of them
- Operation involved multiple road safety teams working across Friday and Saturday nights
- Police urge the public to report antisocial driving behaviour as soon as possible
Southern District Police cracked down on illegal and dangerous driving in Invercargill over the weekend, issuing numerous infringements and ordering dozens of cars off the road.
The operation, which took place across Friday and Saturday nights (6–7 June), saw 161 vehicles stopped by Police. Of these, 54 were sent for inspection, with 12 green stickers and 16 pink stickers issued, signalling various levels of concern about the roadworthiness of the vehicles.
Police teams focused on areas across Invercargill where gatherings of antisocial road users were likely. Their work was backed by support from VTNZ and involved staff from the Impairment Prevention Team, Road Policing Group, and Commercial Vehicle Safety Team.
Southland Area Road Policing Manager Senior Sergeant Scott MacKenzie said the number of non-compliant vehicles was concerning.
“The number of vehicles ordered off the road really surprised us; coupled with the fact that only eight of the 54 vehicles inspected were found without any faults,” he said.
“In total the teams stopped 161 vehicles, of which those with numerous and or serious faults came in at 33.5 percent – one third of all cars stopped should not have been on the road.”
He stressed that Police had “no tolerance for this behaviour and the havoc it wreaks in our communities.”
Senior Sergeant MacKenzie added that many of the vehicles involved were unsafe, and Police were too often left dealing with the tragic consequences of reckless or high-speed driving.
“We’re the ones having to visit families and deliver awful news about their loved ones being involved in serious incidents resulting in injury or death,” he said.
“That’s what motivates us. We don’t want to be the people having to deliver that news. It’s absolutely tragic, and absolutely avoidable.”
He made it clear that Police would continue to take firm action against antisocial road behaviour.
“Police are sending a message to anyone participating in antisocial road user behaviour – we are ready and waiting, and you can expect us to take action.”
Police are asking the public to report any dangerous driving as it happens by calling 111, or after the fact via the 105 service. Anonymous tips can also be shared by calling Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.