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National | Easter

Increased police presence on roads over Easter weekend

Police will be knuckling down on all drivers on the roads over the Easter period in what they say is a bid to make the long weekend a happy and safe one for all.

According to a statement released this morning Police will again be maintaining a highly visible presence on the roads, targeting known hot spots and high risk driver behaviours.

This Easter, Police and road safety agencies are urging all road users to play their part in making the roads a safe place.

The Police have emphasised they will breath test every driver stopped, regardless of the time of day or reason for the stop – including continued enforcement of new reduced adult alcohol limits.

Speed limits will be enforced and reduced to a 4km/h threshold throughout the official holiday period.

Focus will also be placed on ensuring all adults are wearing their safety belt, and that children and younger passengers are properly restrained.

The official Easter Holiday period begins at 4pm this afternoon and ends at 6am on Tuesday 7 April.

Road Policing National Operations Manager, Inspector Peter McKennie, says Police will be firmly focused on preventing risk-taking behaviour that is responsible for killing and injuring far too many people on our roads.

"This includes targeting high risk driver behaviour that puts all road users at risk – including drink and drug-impaired driving, speeding, and failing to wear safety belts – including for children and other passengers."

"In addition to breath testing and other high visibility policing tactics, we will be enforcing a reduced 4km/h speed threshold as we have done for every other long holiday weekend since Queen's Birthday Weekend in 2010."

Five people died on the roads last Easter, and three in 2013.

The only fatality-free Easter ever recorded was in 2012.

The same data shows almost identical proportions of people killed and injured in crashes where speed was a contributor – with 83 people dying and a further 1,863 people injured during 2013 as a result ­– while 37 died during 2013 in crashes where the occupant was not restrained.

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Easter