Canterbury police are out in big numbers this week — targeting drivers speeding through roadworks.
Operation Safe Works would span several weeks after concerns with dangerous driving where roadworkers have been hit on site and a driver killed.
"A driver has driven into a row of cars that had been stopped at a temporary traffic lights at roadworks near Waikuku and tragically the driver of that car died at the scene, and a road worker who was working on a drilling rig was struck by a car simply going far too fast and failed to take a turn and drove through the roadworks area," said acting Canterbury road policing manager Senior Sergeant Gerard Peoples.
While 1News was out filming in Central Christchurch this morning, it was only a matter of minutes before several cars were stopped and issued infringement notices.
Police emphasised that the high visibility operation was not designed to make money.
"We're not trying to hide from anybody. I don't care much for the government books, this is all about road safety for people on the roadwork sites and road users," Peoples said.
"This is really a message for the whole country — just chill out — take your time. You're not going to get anywhere, any faster."
Police reminded drivers that the temporary set speeds were not a suggestion - they're the law.
"I want to remind motorists that just because we are putting an increased focus on this for the next couple weeks, that doesn’t mean that enforcement action stops when the operation ends – you can expect to see us anywhere, anytime," he said.
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