Police miss breath tests target by 50%

‘We accept that we need to focus more on breath testing and on enforcing speed,’ says assistant commissioner after ‘disappointing’ results. By

POLICE conducted only half of the breath tests they aimed to last year.

The failure is among a host of road safety metrics on which they are falling short, according to the 2020-2021 annual report of Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

Although a portion of the breath testing shortfall could be attributed to Covid-19 lockdowns, when the tests were not conducted over concerns about virus transmission risk, a top cop has acknowledged police need to do better.

‘‘We accept that we need to focus more on breath testing and on enforcing speed,’’ said Assistant Commissioner Bruce O’Brien.

Police deployed mobile speed cameras for 61,199 hours in 2020-21, against a target of 100,000 hours. The report said police were not resourced appropriately to achieve the target, which was affected by camera breakdowns and Covid-19 lockdowns.

Also well below target was the percentage of speeding tickets issued for offences between 1kmh and 10kmh over the limit, at 8.6 per cent against a 30 per cent target. Restraint offences, such as seat belt tickets, were at 37,643, well under the 60,000 target.

Nationally, just over 1.5 million breath tests were conducted in 2020-21, half of the 3 million-test goal. Police on health advice decided against breath testing during lockdowns but the Waka Kotahi report said that accounted for just 175,000 fewer tests.

In Auckland, the reduction in breath testing over the past few years has been especially pronounced. Figures from Auckland Transport show they dropped from 771,235 in 2013-14 to less than 400,000 from 2015, and less than 300,000 in 2020-21.

Auckland Transport chief executive Shane Ellison said the reduction in roadside testing was not just a symptom of Covid-19 lockdowns and was ‘‘disappointing’’.

‘‘What we say good practice should be, based on overseas evidence, is there should be about a million tests a year, which reflects the number of licensed drivers in Auckland.’’

That level of testing meant most people would be stopped once per year, keeping the memory of the checkpoint fresh in their mind, he said.

O’Brien said 2020 was challenging for road police due to staff shortages arising from Covid duties. Added to that was the decision not to undertake breath test checkpoints at alert levels 3 and 4, making it doubly hard to hit targets.

‘‘However, we acknowledge that Covid-19 has only had a part to play on our performance,’’ he said.

Breakdowns of ageing mobile speed cameras were affecting police’s performance against its targets.

However, they are set to be replaced by the end of June, he said.

From 2023, ownership of speed cameras is to transfer to Waka Kotahi.

National Party transport spokesman Simeon Brown called on the Government to ask ‘‘tough questions’’ of Waka Kotahi and police about how the number of tests had been allowed to fall to their current levels. ‘‘It’s simply not good enough,’’ he said. ‘‘Breath testing is a fundamental tool in maintaining safer roads, it is completely unacceptable that the number of breath tests has dropped to these levels.’’

Alcohol and drugs contributed to 47 per cent of all fatal road crashes in 2020, while speed contributed to 32 percent, Brown said.

Police Minister Poto Williams said she was confident police were committed to lifting their performance in road safety.

‘‘Now the country is moving about more freely again, I expect these numbers to increase.’’

Williams said the Government had established new ministerial oversight arrangements for Road to Zero, the national road safety strategy, ‘‘and as minister of police I will be working to ensure police delivers on its obligations.’’