Blitz on drivers

Press, 3 June 1982, Page 6

Blitz on drivers

Ministry of Transport officers will be on the roads in force at Queen's Birthday week-end looking out for alcohol-impaired drivers. The senior Christchurch traffic officer, Mr I. W. McLauchlan, ssid the Ministry would put as many officers on the road as pos- \ sible. .7.,; ■ ’ Traffic officers will be called back for extra duties to give a maximum coverage over the three-day blitz. The campaign willstart tomorrow evening and finish on Monday night. “Christchurch goes relatively quiet at Queen’s Birthday week-end, but we expect heavy traffic on most roads ' out of the city on ' Friday evening and another peak as

they return on Monday,” Mr McLauchlan said. , “What is required from the drivers is a good deal of common sense. Many travel too fast, follow too closely, and with alcohol involved as well we have a problem,” he said. • ' Other problems such as fog and frosts had to be taken into account at this time of the year, he said. Last year two persons were killed on Christchurch roads at Queen’s Birthday week-end and there were 10 other accidents reported. Mr McLauchlan believes motorists are starting to recognise the unnecessary suffering caused by road accidents and are driving accordingly.