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Government announces $1.3 billion crackdown on drink drivers (www.rnz.co.nz)

submitted 3 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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The government aims to test just over 3.3 million drivers a year in its plan to increase roadside tests for drink and drug-impaired drivers.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown is launching a $1.3 billion Road Policing Investment Programme which will run for the next three years.

He said 65 percent of breath tests will be done at high or extreme alcohol risk times.

The scheme will also have a target of carrying out 50,000 drug tests per year.

Brown said another priority will be speeding on open roads and at high-risk locations.

"This plan has a clear focus on outcomes and has clear targets to ensure police are focused on the most high-risk times, behaviours, and locations.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I really don’t get this gov. Populist distraction? I guess they’re cutting health system budget by a similar amount so hoping less accidents in EDs to offset some? Ridiculous in any case. I’m all for prevention of accidents and other preventative health policies. The motivations here are blurry.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I'm wondering where these police are coming from. Are highway police a completely different set of staff than those that investigate crime? Will more time spent at checkpoints be at the cost of less time spent elsewhere?

I know the government promised to increase the police force, but I'm still doubtful it's anything more than covering population growth.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago

If they catch more people who're diving on meth maybe that might also help prevent other crime? Bit of a stretch though, seems more like a distraction as stellargmite said.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

All good questions. I’m guessing RNZ may have the police association on the blower this week. See what they have to say. After last week’s exchange with the (former) gun lobbyist MP accusing the police assoc of being a lobby group (lol), I’ll be getting the popcorn out.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

They're also weirdly micro-manage on some of this stuff too. I guess they probably inherit that from Luxon, he strikes me as the kinda boss who would get pet obsessions and then try to tell people how to do their jobs even though he doesn't understand what he's talking about.