The road toll is grim with 34 deaths in Northland this year involving 15 deaths where people were not wearing seatbelts, while alcohol has been a factor in 17 fatals.
Northland's top traffic officer Inspector Wayne Ewers offers a unique insight into policing the region's major roads and details a trip he made on State Highway 1. He started the 80km journey just north of Kerikeri headed for Whangarei at 5.30pm last Thursday.
Mr Ewers expected to be at Whangarei police station by 7pm — he clocked off work at 10.20pm. Here is his story.
Motorist No 1 - 123kmh
My first encounter was a Subaru station wagon that came over the brow of a hill on to Pakaraka Straights, travelling at 123kmh.
Unfortunately due to the location and other traffic, I had difficulty completing a U-turn and had to give the stop away without conducting excessive speeds myself.
Motorists No 2
Travelling through Moerewa, I heard Police Communications calling for a unit to attend a family harm incident on the main road. Staff were up to 30 minutes away in Paihia.
I arrived and found a situation involving family members with medical conditions requiring calls to off-duty doctors. My local colleagues attended and took over resolving the incident.
I return to my vehicle ready to head back to Whangarei, view my watch, know I am going to be late, send a text to my wife to put my dinner in the oven and I will see her about 8.30pm.
Motorist No 3 - 116kmh
I am approaching the Waiomio Hill when I detect a modified 4x4 double cab flat deck with a raised chassis travelling down the hill at speed. The radar shows 116kmh.
I observe the front-seat passenger is unrestrained. I get the vehicle stopped at the Waiomio weigh pits and, 15 minutes later, a 19-year-old learner driver is issued with infringements for his speed and breaching licence conditions.
He is offered compliance and is handed an 0800 number card that provides drivers support to advance their driver's licence.
The 18-year-old female front seat passenger receives an infringement for being unrestrained. All four teenagers, from Dargaville, who had attended a family funeral in the area were given a few minutes of prevention messages before allowing a restricted driver to take over the driving.
Motorist No 4 - 143kmh
As I come over the Towai Hill, I clock a Nissan Skyline passing vehicles at 143kmh.
The vehicle stops for my flashing lights and I find another 19-year-old learner driver.
He says he left Kaitaia that morning, had travelled to Papakura to get his girlfriend and was on his way home - he was tired and just wanted to get there.
A lengthy discussion on the high road toll in Northland ensues, during which time his licence is suspended for 28 days and he is issued an infringement for $510 with 35 demerit points.
They will be added to the 85 demerits he currently has and he will lose his licence for three months over and above the 28-day suspension.
His girlfriend is permitted to drive, with the advice to stop at Kawakawa for a meal and rest break.
Look at my watch - knowing my wife has had more than 30 years of me arriving home late there's no need to send another text.
Motorist No 5 - 151kmh
Further south, another officer has a motorist stopped on the roadside north of Hikurangi for some time.
I take the opportunity to stop and have a brief discussion with my colleague. His driver was clocked at 151kmh as well as being under the influence although not sufficient for enforcement action.
Motorist No 6 - 135kmh
As I leave, the first vehicle approaching is clocked at 135kmh.
I stop the vehicle 100m past the previous vehicle stop and find it driven by a 44-year-old female who produces a zero alcohol licence.
The smell of alcohol results in a positive breath screening test and we head to Whangarei Station to complete the process.
After securing her vehicle I manage to get a text off to my wife, "Another hold-up see you at 9.30pm."
On the way to Whangarei, the driver admits to having had a couple of glasses of gin.
The results of the breath testing produces a reading of 636mcg (the legal limit for drivers 20 and over is 250mcg).
Summons are served and she will appear in court to face her fourth drink-drive charge.
I get home a few minutes before 11pm to a lukewarm dinner. My wife is woken up as I need to unload the day's events.