Unsafe driving disappoints police

THE number of people using mobile phones while driving has ‘‘disappointed’’ Dunedin police.

Intersection operations focusing on enforcement and monitoring speed continued across the city on Wednesday, during which many drivers were caught driving in an unsafe manner.

The operation at the intersection of St Andrew and Castle Sts, between 9.50am and 10.30am, resulted in 11 infringement offence notices being issued — five for drivers not wearing a seatbelt and six for people using their cellphones while driving.

A second operation was carried out on State Highway 1 near Fairfield, between 11.45am and 12.20pm, during which four infringement notices were issued for speeds between 115kmh and 127kmh.

At the intersection of Castle and Hanover Sts, between 3pm and 3.30pm, two vehicles ran a red light and other seatbelt offences were detected.

Immediately after that operation, the Argyle and Glenpark St intersection in Mornington was monitored until 4pm and two infringement notices were issued for failing to stop at a stop sign.

The last operation was at the intersection of George and Park Sts in North Dunedin between 4pm and 4.45pm.

Three drivers were not wearing seatbelts and two were using their mobile phones.

Visible prevention and education was also conducted by police during the operations.

A police spokesman said it was disappointing drivers were using cellphones while driving, which was distracting and unsafe.

‘‘Dunedin police will continue to carry out these operations to ensure that Dunedin motorists are safe on the roads.’’

Later on Wednesday, a 58yearold man ran a red light while driving down Stuart St on to London St, resulting in a crash, at 10.34pm.

The vehicle that ran the red light crashed into a vehicle driven by a 61yearold female, the spokesman said.

There were no injuries.