Attribute to Senior Sergeant Adam Elder, Area Manager - Response:
Police maintained a strong and visible presence throughout the shearing event in Alexandra over 2-3 October, with staff focused on road safety, prevention and reducing alcohol-related harm.
Additional Police staff from Alexandra, Rural, Cromwell and the Impairment Prevention Team were deployed over the weekend. They carried out a combination of enforcement and education activities.
On Friday 2 October, Police conducted a large checkpoint on Centennial Avenue, where approximately 800 drivers were breath tested. One driver returned a breath alcohol result of 366mcg. A second checkpoint saw approximately 100 drivers tested, with one driver aged under 20 returning an evidential breath alcohol reading of 66mcg.
Enforcement activity continued on Saturday 3 October, with a further checkpoint on Centennial Avenue seeing approximately 300 vehicles pass through. Targeted road policing operations resulted in two vehicles being impounded, one drug test refusal and one driver detected at the infringement level for excess breath alcohol.
A number of infringement notices were issued across the weekend, including several alcohol-related infringements.
Alongside enforcement activity, Police staff carried out multiple prevention-focused engagements, promoting safe and responsible behaviour.
While the vast majority of people attending the event made sensible choices, it was disappointing to detect a small number of drivers who chose to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or who failed to comply with roadside testing requirements.
We want everyone travelling on our roads to get home safely. Our message remains simple: if you're drinking, don't drive. Plan a way home that's safe for everyone.