Police checks warning

Marlborough police will be out in force on the roads today and into the New Year, despite a calm buildup to Christmas.

Marlborough highway patrol team leader Sergeant Barrie Greenall said police would have extra patrols out as people started going to visit family and friends or head on holiday.

He also wanted to warn people, particularly those under the age of 20, that extra patrols would be monitoring roads as people celebrated the New Year.

‘‘There will be early morning checkpoints on New Years Day. We will be breath-testing,’’ he said.

Those under 20, who had a zero-alcohol limit while driving, should be wary of driving on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day as they could still be over the limit if they had been drinking the night before.

Traffic on the roads had been well-controlled in the days before Christmas, which Mr Greenall said had been helped by having only two days between the weekend and the big day.

‘‘People travelled over the weekend and took these few days off [in between], which eases the load. There’s been no major holdups, there have been people towing boats and things but most are towing them well,’’ he said.

‘‘We’re hoping to maintain the steady flow, keep everyone moving and moving safely and sensibly.’’

kat.duggan@mex.co.nz