Verdict on Central Otago’s drink driving stats:

During October, New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Transport Agency have been carrying out a campaign to tackle what is still the major contributor to crashes on New Zealand roads, drink driving.

Here in Central Otago, we are part of the Southern Police District, and local authorities are being asked to play a role in spreading the word, because people are still getting behind the wheel after drinking and causing our communities unnecessary harm. That is why we should expect to see Police on the roads, checkpoints and targeted enforcement continuing through November in during the two-month campaign.

Central Otago District has a population of 26,000; our neighbouring district Clutha has 18,650, Queenstown Lakes 52,800 and Waitaki 24,300.

While we had fewer fatalities where alcohol was a contributing factor than our neighbouring districts, Central Otago’s drink driving statistics by Territorial Local Authority (TLA) in the 2019-2023 period show that the serious injury number was higher; two deaths and 13 serious injuries (2/13), compared with Clutha (5/9), Queenstown Lakes (8/9) and Waitaki (7/10).

We have a recent example of behaviour on our roads with the annual Alexandra Blossom Festival (25-29 September). It reads like an average school report; did well – could do better.

The Central App reported on the increased security measures taken by the Alexandra Blossom Festival committee in engaging alcohol harm prevention organisation Red Frogs. The volunteer organisation’s mission is to help combat a culture in New Zealand that is largely dominated by alcohol and other substances, often leading to dangerous and life-altering behaviours for young people, which could lead to drink driving.

This year huge lighting towers had also been brought into each corner of the park to keep the area well lit, and security officers as well as Māori wardens were patrolling the area as part of the harm prevention strategies.

Alexandra Police acting sergeant Graham Perkins said the festival got the thumbs up from police with few incidents reported: there was some disorder but was quickly sorted.

Between Alexandra and Cromwell there were 2141 vehicles stopped by police at checkpoints, and only three people were processed for drink driving - and all were under 400mcg.

Infringement notices were given to 25 drivers for various offences such as no seatbelts worn, and only four people were ticketed for drinking alcohol in a vehicle in a public place, while the liquor ban was in force.

There is a strong message going into the long weekend: Be safe out there.

• Find out more to keep yourself and others safe, because there's more to lose than your licence. Head to:

https://nzta.govt.nz/safety/driving-safely/alcohol/drinking-dont-drive/