Number of speeding drivers frightening, disappointing, police say

DUNEDIN police have been startled by driver behaviour on the Southern Motorway after pulling over 18 speeding vehicles in just over an hour.

Acting Senior Sergeant Graeme Evans, of Dunedin, said the vehicles were pulled over as part of a speed operation on the motorway between Dunedin and Mosgiel, from 1pm until 2.15pm on Wednesday.

He said one of the drivers was clocked travelling at 165kmh. The gender and age of the driver was not known.

‘‘That person’s driver licence was suspended and they were charged with exceeding 100kmh.

‘‘Those kinds of speeds put a lot of people at risk.

‘‘I’m sure that the good people of Otago Coastal are safer now that person’s driver licence has been suspended.’’

Snr Sgt Evans said speed was a factor in most of the region’s fatal and serious crashes, and was concerned 18 drivers had been pulled over for exceeding the speed limit in

such a short period of time.

‘‘It’s frightening and disappointing to uncover that kind of stuff.

‘‘Obviously, if there is a problem, then we need to spend more time [patrolling] there.’’

The motorist allegedly travelling at 165kmh will appear in the Dunedin District Court, charged with exceeding the speed limit.