Musician has a message for drivers
‘‘I was sad to learn about the number of young people who are putting their own lives and the lives of others at risk for a cheap thrill.’’
Police have teamed up with local hip hop artist King Kapisi in hopes of curbing the increasing trend of young drivers fleeing when asked to stop, particularly in Auckland.
Kapisi, who won a prestigious Silver Scroll Award in 1999, has just released the single ‘Hear Me Now’, to encourage young drivers to stop for police when requested, instead of sparking dangerous chases.
Kapisi, whose real name is Bill Urale, became aware of this emerging issue through family who work in police.
‘‘I was sad to learn about the number of young people who are putting their own lives and the lives of others at risk for a cheap thrill.’’
‘‘We want people to realise the buzz they think they might get from speeding and trying to get away from the police is just not worth the risk – there’s better ways to have fun,’’ he said.
Police, along with Auckland Transport, hope people will listen and take the message on board.
Unsafe driving increases the risk of crashes as well as the possibility of injury or death – approximately 16 per cent of fleeing driver incidents involve a crash.
‘‘There are a group of drivers, mainly young males, who are increasingly failing to stop for police when requested or signalled to do so, who then engage in unsafe driving in their attempts to evade police’’ said Superintendent Steve Greally, national road policing manager.
‘‘Police do not want to see anyone die needlessly on our roads.’’
The song’s video – which features stylised, hip hop dancers, follows the story of young boys speeding from the cops.
Police said the impact of this increasing trend of fleeing drivers and subsequent crashes is hard on everyone.
‘‘When people die on our roads their families and friends are affected forever, and it is generally police officers who have to let the victim’s loved ones know.’’
‘‘These are extremely sad moments that our officers never forget,’’ Greally said.