Police efforts acknowledged during grim weekend on roads

Police Commissioner Peter Marshall has commended the efforts of frontline Police officers during a grim weekend on the country’s roads.

“The seven deaths on our roads over the long weekend is particularly disappointing after the fatality free Easter we enjoyed earlier in the year,” Mr Marshall said.

“Despite the dedicated efforts of Police and other transport safety agencies, the terrible tragedy in the northern Hawkes Bay in particular highlights the difficulty they face in changing the attitudes of a small number of people who continue to think it’s okay to drink and drive or not wear their seatbelts. It reinforces the need for all of us with responsibility for ensuing safety on our roads – including the vast majority of motorists who do drive safely – to keep up the pressure on the small number who still don’t seem to be getting the message.

“I commend the efforts of those frontline Police officers who were out and about over the weekend working hard to otherwise keep things safe on our roads.

“That includes those officers who responded to the tragic and sudden loss of a woman during a routine alcohol checkpoint at the weekend. Our sympathies are with her family at this difficult time, and I acknowledge the professionalism and dedication of those officers who did everything they could to try and save her, during what would have been a very difficult and distressing situation.”