Latest news with #PeterMcKennie
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- NZ Herald
Crash on Auckland's Southern Motorway delays holiday traffic ahead of King's Birthday Weekend
Southbound traffic on the Southwestern Motorway, meanwhile, was badly congested from the junction with the Southern back to the Waterview Tunnel. Am I going to get stuck in traffic if I try to escape the city? To help keep journeys flowing, major roadworks generally pause during holiday weekends but NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi's Journey Planner has identified several choke points where traffic will likely build up at peak times this weekend. Traffic on SH1 southbound between Wellsford and Pūhoi is expected to be at its heaviest between 2pm and 4pm on Monday. Traffic heading out of Auckland is at a near-complete standstill across the motorway network this evening as holidaymakers start their break. Photo / Google From Manukau to Bombay on SH1 there were several periods where traffic was predicted to be heavy and slow-moving, the transport agency warned. Heading south, traffic was expected to be busy from 7.30am through to 8pm on Friday, before peaking between 9am and 11am on Saturday. Northbound traffic will be busy between noon and 6pm on Sunday and from 11am through to 3pm Monday as Aucklanders return home. Acting director of road policing, Inspector Peter McKennie, urged motorists to put safety first this weekend and take their time, drive to the conditions and be patient. 'So many of the crashes we've attended this year have been preventable, and that's a tragedy.' Motorists can expect extra police to be patrolling the roads across the King's Birthday weekend period, with McKennie signalling officers would be on the watch for infringements related to restraints, impairment through the likes of alcohol and drugs, distractions such as cellphones, and speed. 'Those are four areas we're targeting because we know it can save lives. A split-second decision can be the difference between life and death.' Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Scoop
Keep Yourself And Others Safe On The Road This King's Birthday Weekend
Press Release – New Zealand Police The four biggest factors in crashes, deaths and serious injuries involve restraints, impairment through the likes of alcohol and drugs, distractions such as cell phones, and speed. Police are urging road users to put safety first this King's Birthday weekend. Those who don't should expect to see red and blue lights. The number of road deaths so far this year has seen too many families losing loved ones in crashes, says Acting Director of Road Policing, Inspector Peter McKennie. 'There's no excuse for anyone to drive dangerously or carelessly, endangering their lives or others regardless of day of the year. 'So many of the crashes we've attended this year have been preventable, and that's a tragedy. It's horrific for families, friends, and first responders. 'Preventing those tragedies is what we're focused on, especially at long weekends when there are more people on the roads. If you're breaking the rules on the road, you'll get our attention and a ticket as well. 'Extra Police will be patrolling the roads across New Zealand, from highways to back roads, 'anywhere, anytime'. 'The four biggest factors in crashes, deaths and serious injuries involve restraints, impairment through the likes of alcohol and drugs, distractions such as cell phones, and speed. 'Those are four areas we're targeting because we know it can save lives. A split-second decision can be the difference between life and death. 'We want everyone travelling on the roads over the weekend to be safe, and to help keep others on the road safe. 'We're doing our best, but need people to take greater responsibility on the road.' Inspector McKennie urged motorists to take their time, drive to the conditions, and be patient. 'Just because you're a good driver, it doesn't mean the next person is. Drive in a manner and at a speed that allows you to respond safely to the unexpected. If you're on the road, do everything you can to keep yourself and others safe this long weekend.'
Scoop
7 days ago
- Scoop
Keep Yourself And Others Safe On The Road This King's Birthday Weekend
Police are urging road users to put safety first this King's Birthday weekend. Those who don't should expect to see red and blue lights. The number of road deaths so far this year has seen too many families losing loved ones in crashes, says Acting Director of Road Policing, Inspector Peter McKennie. 'There's no excuse for anyone to drive dangerously or carelessly, endangering their lives or others regardless of day of the year. 'So many of the crashes we've attended this year have been preventable, and that's a tragedy. It's horrific for families, friends, and first responders. 'Preventing those tragedies is what we're focused on, especially at long weekends when there are more people on the roads. If you're breaking the rules on the road, you'll get our attention and a ticket as well. 'Extra Police will be patrolling the roads across New Zealand, from highways to back roads, 'anywhere, anytime'. 'The four biggest factors in crashes, deaths and serious injuries involve restraints, impairment through the likes of alcohol and drugs, distractions such as cell phones, and speed. 'Those are four areas we're targeting because we know it can save lives. A split-second decision can be the difference between life and death. 'We want everyone travelling on the roads over the weekend to be safe, and to help keep others on the road safe. 'We're doing our best, but need people to take greater responsibility on the road.' Inspector McKennie urged motorists to take their time, drive to the conditions, and be patient. 'Just because you're a good driver, it doesn't mean the next person is. Drive in a manner and at a speed that allows you to respond safely to the unexpected. If you're on the road, do everything you can to keep yourself and others safe this long weekend.'
1News
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- 1News
The road rule Kiwis can't seem to follow – and why it matters
If you've driven anywhere in New Zealand with more than one lane, chances are you've come across the notorious right-lane hog. The driver who sticks in the right lane, going just below the speed limit, unaware or indifferent to the queues of frustrated motorists forming behind them. It's annoying, it's common — and while technically illegal, it's become one of the most flouted road rules in the country. Under New Zealand law, drivers must keep left unless they're overtaking. It's written into the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 and failing to do so could set you back $150 fine and 20 demerit points, according to the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). "There are no plans currently to review this infringement penalty," an NZTA spokesperson said. NZTA regularly pushes "keep left" messages on its Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages, racking up more than 9 million views in the past two years, but it seems many motorists continue to miss the memo. Police do issue infringements for failing to keep left, but it's not a high-priority offence, says Inspector Peter McKennie, acting director of road policing. "Police do take enforcement action for failing to keep left in some circumstances, but not to the same extent as high-risk behaviours, such as speed, impairment by alcohol, drugs or fatigue, being distracted while driving and not using seat belts or child restraints," he told 1News. There were practical considerations, McKennie said, such as drivers preparing for exits or intersections and giving room for cyclists or road workers. But even if you're going the speed limit and feel justified in staying put, drivers "need to consider keeping the way clear for emergency service vehicles". Hogging the right lane can have indirect safety impacts such as risky under-taking manoeuvres or frustrated drivers taking chances they shouldn't. "Police encourage courteous driving behaviours," he said. "Be patient and wait until the situation changes and it is safe to pass. Recognise that going a few kilometres per hour slower for a relatively short distance won't make a meaningful difference to your journey time." The AA wants to see a shift in mindset around the keep left rule, especially as New Zealand builds more multi-lane highways. AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen said the right lane should be treated as a passing lane. "Sticking to the left lane means people can easily pass slower travelling vehicles in the right, promoting efficient traffic flow," he said. "After overtaking, drivers should return to the left lane as soon as it is safe." He said passing on the right was a "more efficient manoeuvre", while passing on the left was "significantly more dangerous". "It involves driving through a larger blind spot for the vehicle you are passing on the right, which is also likely to move directly into your lane at some point." Travelling in the right lane unnecessarily showed a "lack of awareness" for other road users wanting to pass, Thomsen said. "It's important that new drivers are taught to see correct lane use not only as a legal requirement, but as part of cooperative and considerate driving behaviour." Thomsen said AA Member surveys have consistently found that slower vehicles holding up traffic is one of the top frustrations for drivers alongside red light running and texting behind the wheel. "With more multi-lane highways starting to be built in New Zealand, it is certainly an area that could have more of a focus for educating and reminding drivers to share the road well." So next time you're cruising in the right lane, ask yourself: Are you overtaking — or just in the way?
1News
22-04-2025
- 1News
Four killed in Easter Weekend crashes: 'Any death is one too many'
Police have urged safer driving after four people were killed in crashes across the North Island over the Easter long weekend. The official Easter holiday road toll period was from 4pm on Thursday to 6am this morning. Inspector Peter McKennie of the National Road Policing Centre said four road deaths over the Easter was a "relatively low number", but the reality was "any death on the road is one too many". "Our hearts go out to the loved ones of those who died. Their lives will never be the same again," he said in a media release. "Police will continue to work hard to target those behaviours on the road that contribute to serious injury or death: speeding, not wearing appropriate restraints, distraction and impairment." The first victim of the Easter road toll died at the scene of a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 12 in Ruawai in Northland on Good Friday. On Saturday, one person died in a crash involving a car and a cyclist at Haumoana in Hawke's Bay. On Easter Monday, a person was killed and three others were injured in a two-vehicle crash east of New Plymouth in Taranaki. Later that afternoon, a person died in a two-vehicle crash at Mangakino, northwest of Taupō. Last Easter, seven people died on New Zealand roads, the highest since 2021 when the toll reached nine people.
