By CATHY ARONSON
HAMILTON - Thirty-one dedicated highway-patrol police officers and a new booze bus will hit Waikato streets just before Christmas.
The district is the first to have dedicated highway patrols before they are introduced throughout the country.
The Waikato traffic manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said the patrols would concentrate on enforcement such as speed and seatbelt checks.
They would not replace existing traffic units.
"They will be able to spend more time on the road because they won't be tied up with paperwork."
He said there would be an extra 10 staff on the booze bus, which would complement an existing one in Hamilton. It would free up the highway patrols and traffic units.
Mr Tooman said the Waikato had never had a major boost to its traffic unit despite the fact that it had the worst open-road toll in New Zealand.
There were 92 fatal crashes in the region last year, 82 of them on open roads.
Mr Tooman said Waikato highways acted as a funnel between Auckland and the rest of the North Island.
The road system was like a spider's web with different access points.
The patrols would be able to target black spots and peak-hour traffic.
"It's a big boost to the highway system," he said.
"It will reduce injuries and create a bigger profile and hopefully people will decide they are not prepared to take the risk."
Mr Tooman said the patrols would be staffed by police officers with at least two years' experience. Their positions would probably be filled by new graduates.
Patrol vehicles would sport new and highly visible labels.
Bay of Plenty is due to receive 31 highway patrol officers soon after the Waikato.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from New Zealand
Weather woes: Fog scuppers flights in south, heavy rain and thunderstorms for north
Fog in Chch that affected or forced cancellation of more than 40 flights has now cleared.