A fleet of unmarked vehicles will be rolled out as Police work to reduce the loss of life and harm caused to people involved in crashes on New Zealand roads.
Acting National Manager for Road Policing, Inspector Peter McKennie said the vehicles would support NZ Police capability to prevent road deaths and injuries.
“Unmarked vehicles are particularly effective in detecting high risk behaviours such as driving while not wearing seatbelts, driving while impaired, driving distracted, and travelling at unsafe speeds,” said Insp McKennie.
“We know that speed has the biggest impact on the outcome of a crash – whether you walk away, or are carried away.
“That is why we unapologetically continue to focus on stopping people speeding on the roads.”
Over the next three months, motorists will start seeing unmarked Holden Equinox vehicles (pictured) patrolling New Zealand roads, with a total of 24 unmarked vehicles being deployed to deter risky driving.
Police say the vehicles will come in a range of colours, so will blend in with any other car on the road.
“Police is committed to reducing the number of people being killed or injured on the roads,” said Insp McKennie.
“Too many people are losing their lives, and the unmarked vehicles will encourage people to think twice about engaging in risky driving behaviour. We want motorists to be conscious about driving safely at all times, expecting there to be a Police presence on the roads, anytime, anywhere.
“The vast majority of road users simply want to get through their journeys safely. These vehicles increase our ability to ensure that by enabling Police to more effectively deter, detect and apprehend those who put people’s safety at risk, including those who habitually drive in an unsafe manner but modify their driving in the presence of marked Police vehicles.”
