An evening patrolling for impaired drivers
It’s a pristine balmy summer’s evening as Taranaki’s Impairment Prevention Team leaves New Plymouth’s police station heading out to try and stop tragedy from striking on the region’s roads.
It’s been two years since the Traffic and Alcohol Group (TAG) become the IPT and its trusty Booze Bus was renamed the Mobile Road Safety Base (MRSB) but the goal remains the same – to remove the risk to the public from drivers under the influence.
In 2019, alcohol or drugs were a factor in 131 fatal crashes and 432 serious injury crashes nationally.
Before leaving the station, on Friday, January 8, the team of six officers discuss what events are happening around the town, potential locations to set up during the night and a list of drivers and vehicles to look out for.
During the next eight hours more than 300 motorists will be stopped, at three checkpoints, and undergo roadside breath testing.
While 12 had consumed alcohol none were over the limit and the one driver who was required to undergo a Compulsory Impairment Test (CIT) for drug use also passed.
Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew Wong Too, who is also the road policing team leader for Taranaki, says it appears the anti drink and drugged-driving message is getting through.
‘‘I would like to think so; but it was positive to see we didn’t have to deal with anyone for impaired driving.’’
Wong Too believes any impaired driver jeopardises the safety of other road users.
‘‘I wouldn’t classify any drink-driver as being any worse than any others because once they reach the legal limit they are impaired.
‘‘So although one drink-driver may haver a higher reading than another, they are all unfortunately a hazard to other members of the public on the road.’’
The team’s first checkpoint is set up on Clemow Rd, near the entrance to New Plymouth’s Lake Rotomanu.
While it isn’t a main thoroughfare, lots of people like to head down to the lake or beach after work, Wong Too says.
‘‘People do travel to and from it from various parts of Taranaki, and they would then head out on the highway.
‘‘It’s a way of us minimising that risk and also getting the message out there that we can be anywhere at anytime.’’
A steady stream of motorists pass through the checkpoint and while some have consumed alcohol none are over the legal limit to drive.
One motorist, however, is identified by officers as a previous drugged-driver who has been disqualified. He is arrested and his car, which has a screwdriver for a key, is impounded.
Wong Too also immediately recognises another driver, who is wanted for a threemonth demerit point suspension, as he arrives at the checkpoint.
The driver is given the opportunity to go straight home before his licence is revoked.
A second unwarranted and unregistered vehicle is impounded after Wong Too spots the driver, whose licence is suspended, not wearing a seatbelt while driving through New Plymouth.
In December 2014 the legal alcohol limits for drivers aged 20 and over were lowered from 400 micrograms per litre of breath to 250mcg and from 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres (ml) of blood to 50 mg. The limit for drivers under 20 is zero. Wong Too says the team patrols the roads four days a week; a variety of alcohol levels are detected.
‘‘We definitely get a lot of people between the 250mcg and 400mcg.
‘‘Then a lot of our repeat drink-drivers will be over the 400mcg.’’
He encouraged anyone heading out for a drink to make arrangements for getting home and not leave it to the last minute.
‘‘If we can stop them from getting behind the wheel beforehand that’s what we are all after.’’
Acting Sergeant Jonno Robinson says a driver was recently caught with a blood alcohol level above 300mg and more than six time the legal limit of 50mg.
Robinson can’t discuss the case but says the public are usually quick to contact police if they spot a driver who appears to be impaired.
The public are pretty vigilant in Taranaki around road users and are good at calling in if they see something that concerns them, he says.