Arrest after driver clocks 179kmh on icy roads
A Queenstown man has been arrested after he was caught driving at 179kmh on icy roads yesterday afternoon.
Acting Senior Sergeant Jared Kirk said the 40-year-old Queenstown man was clocked driving nearly 80kmh over the speed limit on State Highway 6, in the Gibbston Valley, about 3.25pm.
The driver will appear in the Queenstown District Court on July 24 charged with driving at a dangerous speed. His licence has been suspended.
Police received reports of 34 crashes in treacherous, icy conditions around Southland and Otago between 6am and 1pm.
Kirk said there was still black ice and loose grit across many roads, therefore this sort of driving was ‘‘extremely disappointing’’.
‘‘It’s clear the message is not getting through to some drivers.
‘‘Very cold temperatures are expected again tonight, so Police would ask motorists to please be mindful of ice on the roads and not drive unless it’s absolutely necessary,’’ he said.
Queenstown and Alexandra were last night forecast to drop to -3C, while Invercargill was likely to drop to -1C.
Earlier, police were telling southern drivers ‘‘don’t go out’’, after reports of black ice and car crashes as parts of the South Island plunged to -10C overnight Friday.
Police said there were reports of ‘‘numerous crashes’’ in the lower South Island, in Central Otago, Southland, and Te Anau, with some motorists and passengers sustaining minor to moderate injuries.
‘‘Drivers are urged not to go out on the roads at the moment in parts of the Southern district,’’ police said in a statement.
‘‘You often won’t realise you are heading towards black-ice before you hit it, making it potentially lethal to drive on the roads at the moment.’’
Treacherous black ice was reported on State Highway 6, SH8, SH94 and SH97.
‘‘It’s not even wise to go out walking or cycling as the footpaths will be affected too. It’s been raining again overnight, so it’s more than dangerous than usual if you are trying to drive in these conditions.’’