• Full Story

Police blitz snaps 862 drivers on phone

Email
Print

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 1:31p.m.

A total of 15,000 fines have now been issued since the law change came into force in 2009

A total of 15,000 fines have now been issued since the law change came into force in 2009

Almost 900 motorists have been stung with fines for flouting the cellphone ban during a fortnight-long crackdown on the two-year-old driving law.

The boss of road policing, Superintendent Paula Rose, says the results of the nationwide blitz are very disappointing, especially given drivers were forewarned that officers would be out in force targeting phone use at the wheel.

The figures published by the Dominion Post show police caught 862 motorists in the two weeks to November 7. Many were snapped by police armed with new long-range lenses designed to give the detail needed to confirm phone use.

A total of 15,000 fines have now been issued since the law change came into force in 2009.

Supt Rose said it seemed many Kiwis were not prepared to miss a call or a text in the name of safety.

"I think drivers do understand the dangers, they just can't be bothered to put their safety and that of other road users before this one phone call," she said.

"They fall back on that old chestnut `it won't happen to me' and take the chance."

Transport Minister Steven Joyce has also noted his disappointment in the figures but said it often takes time for new laws to change behaviour.

During the crackdown, police also caught 3042 passengers not wearing seatbelts, a result Supt Rose said was surprising as seatbelt use was generally high.

NZN

Become a fan of 3 News on Facebook and on Twitter.

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

08 Dec 2011 02:52p.m.

nigel wrote:

They didn’t ban cell phone use while you are driving because it is dangerous! They did it because they were envious; driving along with a cell phone to your ear imbues status for the entire world to see. You are obviously important and in demand, you have control, so much so that it made them feel uncomfortable. People who did not have cell phones or who were not in demand became jealous of this newly acquired status. They complained, it was unseemly that people used cell phones while they were driving; they were supposed to be concentrating on the road after all. Exaggerated claims of danger fuelled the fires of moral indignation and the government had to act. The government didn’t require much prodding as they didn’t like the public’s newly acquired status either. Note that the police are still allowed to use cell phones while driving. At bottom, we were banned from using cell phones, for the same reasons that Saudi women are not allowed to drive, or young men in Iran cannot sport fancy haircuts, in order to maintain the status of the Government over the people. This behaviour is as natural and instinctive as that found in a troop of Chimpanzees. The Alpha male would never allow subordinate males to have enhanced status that rivals their own.

08 Dec 2011 02:07p.m.

nick a wrote:

hypocrites!!!! Transport Minister Steven Joyce should also show his disappointment in the figures of police officers using their phones while driving when there is no just cause to do so.