Drivers speed when cops unseen

Speed monitoring in an unmarked police car on State Highway 1 through Tokoroa reveals speeds of motorists are slightly faster than the results gathered during a marked patrol last year.

Three positions were monitored – the 60kmh zone through Tokoroa, the 80kmh zone and the 100kmh zone near the bridge after Chambers St.

Speeds detected through the 60kmh zone ranged between 55 and 75kmh, compared to last year’s results of 56kmh and 71kmh.

Speeds coming into town in the 80kmh zone ranged between 74kmh and 97kmh, compared to the marked car patrol which saw speeds range from 71 and 95kmh.

But it was traffic heading north of Tokoroa over the bridge which revealed speeding drivers.

While vehicles were still in the 60kmh zone (heading north of Tokoroa) they were travelling at speeds between 71kmh and 98kmh compared to 71kmh and 83kmh.

Unmarked cars could provide an opportunity to catch speedsters, but Taupo Area Road Policing Group Sergeant Daniel Peat said he preferred marked police vehicles. ‘‘As soon as people see a marked car they correct their behaviour. With an unmarked car we get a lot more poor driving behaviour.’’