Dry drivers earn praise of Warriors
Local league legends join city checkpoints to reinforce sober driving message.
Driving sober and not hurting yourself or others is its own reward. But those who made the right decision to stay off the booze before getting behind the wheel in Auckland last night were celebrated with a special thank you from some of our toughest rugby league men.
Players from the Vodafone Warriors joined Auckland Transport and police in a major alcohol prevention operation at checkpoints in Manukau, East Ta¯maki, Takanini and Mt Wellington.
They handed out treats to those who passed through the checkpoint sober, had a sober driver or were using a driving service.
Rewards included flags, miniature rugby balls and meet and greets with favourite Warriors’ players.
Some motorists were also given tickets to their match against the Penrith Panthers on August 24 at Mt Smart Stadium.
Manurewa resident Kuki Ionatana doesn’t drink so wasn’t worried when he pulled up at the checkpoint.
He was given tickets to the Warriors’ next game for being a sober driver. “It was unexpected,” he said. “Hat’s off to them for coming out.” Agnatius Paasi, a forward for the Warriors, was one of the players helping out at the checkpoint.
“It’s good for the boys to come out and help the community to drive safe and make good decisions,” he told the Herald.
National road policing manager Superintendent Steve Greally said it was amazing to have the Warriors rewarding good behaviour and reinforcing sober driving.
“People were very surprised to see them at the checkpoint with police. As an organisation they have taken a strong stance against driving under the influence of alcohol and we really commend them for that.”
The operation was designed to encourage positive behaviours.
“Tragically, 75 people in Auckland have lost their lives and further 516 were seriously injured in alcohol related crashes in the last five years [to 2017]. That tells us that attitudes to drink-driving still have to change.”
Warriors chief executive Cameron George said last night’s operation was a special experience for the players.
“It also gave them the chance to make a real contribution in helping to raise awareness of the drive drinkfree message.”
People were very surprised to see them [Warriors players] at the checkpoint with police. Superintendent Steve Greally