National News
Over 300 caught in speeding blitz
Friday September 1, 2006
By Juliet Rowan
Three Bay of Plenty drivers have been caught doing more than 150km/h in a weeklong speeding blitz, including a motorcyclist clocked at more than 180km/h on the winding State Highway 29 across the Kaimai Ranges.
Police say they are appalled at the results of the blitz, in which more than 300 motorists were issued with tickets for speeding in front of schools.
Of the worst three speedsters, another motorcyclist was caught doing 171km/h on State Highway 2 at Te Puke and then, later the same evening, doing 160km/h in a 50km/h zone in Tauranga.
The third was driving a car at 151km/h in an area of State Highway 33 between Te Puke and Rotorua known as Three Mile Hill, which has a history of fatal accidents.
Senior Sergeant Ian Campion, head of the Western Bay of Plenty strategic traffic unit, said the speeds reached by the trio were among the highest and most dangerous he had seen.
"It's blatant stupidity by people who have no regard for the safety of other road users or themselves," he said.
He said driving at more than 150km/h was a recipe for disaster on any road.
The driver doing 151km/h was stopped by a highway patrol officer and suspended from driving for 28 days, and is now due to appear in the Tauranga District Court on driving charges.
The motorcyclist who drove at more than 160km/h twice in one evening was found by police at his home. He is facing charges including reckless driving, which carries a maximum penalty of three months in prison.
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