A lowered speed tolerance on New Zealand roads begins today with police taking action against any driver found driving more than 4km/h over the legal limit.

The reduction will remain in place until January 7 and runs alongside a number of road safety initiatives put in place by Western Bay of Plenty Police this summer.

Police will be keeping an eye out for people who are breaking the law, including speeders.

Police will have a high presence on the region’s roads as they expect heavy traffic flows during the holiday period.

Western Bay of Plenty road policing Senior Sergeant Ian Campion says drivers need to reduce speeds, respect following distances, drive to the conditions and be patient taking extra care during overtaking manoeuvres.

He says holiday driving requires special care, consideration, concentration and planning.

“It’s important drivers give themselves plenty of time to make their journey safely, take regular breaks and ensure everyone in the vehicle is wearing their seat belt or properly restrained in an approved child restraint.”

Ian says drivers should, if they do not have a hands free kit for their cell phone, give the phone to someone else in the vehicle to use or pull over and stop in a safe area.

“Better still, turn it off for the duration of the journey. One less distraction has got to be good for you.”

During wet conditions drivers are reminded to slow down, comply with speed signs on bends and apply the four second rule when following other traffic. 

State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Ranges also needs exceptional care during wet conditions, says Ian.

“Truck drivers and drivers of light vehicles towing trailers, caravans or boats will need to take extra special care during periods of heavy traffic volumes ensuring they drive to the conditions, secure loads properly and regularly pull over to allow faster traffic to overtake safely.”

Throughout the Christmas and New Year holiday period police will ensure:

*Traffic flows run smoothly and delays are kept to a minimum.

*Slower drivers are encouraged to pull over to let faster traffic pass.

Ian says those who engage in high-risk driver behaviour that puts other road users at risk, including speeding, are apprehended.

“Drivers exceeding any posted speed limit by more than 40km/h will have their drivers licence suspended immediately for a period of 28 days.

“Police will also be enforcing graduated driver licence conditions with those drivers found breaching conditions being forbidden from driving until they can comply with all conditions of their drivers licence.”