Road policing was the main theme for Wānaka Police this past week, including dealing with dangerous driving on the Crown Range and a four-vehicle accident near Wānaka Airport.

Queenstown Lakes District mayor John Glover was first on the scene when a Ford Ranger erupted into flames on the Crown Range between 5.30pm and 6pm on Wednesday (February 4), leaving the driver shaken.

The mayor said the car had been heading from Wānaka to Queenstown when there was some malfunction of the engine causing smoke and oil to come from the back of the ute. 

The driver pulled over to a chain-fitting bay and attempted to extinguish it with a fire extinguisher to no avail. 

“It was a very rapid spread,” John said. “I called the fire in and waited with the driver, who was obviously shaken, until the Arrowtown Brigade arrived.”

Arrowtown Volunteer Fire Brigade station officer Alex Holden says two appliances attended the fire. The occupant was uninjured.

Local police have been out on the roads this week keeping a visible presence due to the heavy long weekend and Chinese New Year traffic, Wānaka area response manager Sergeant Graeme Hamblett said.

An “example of what not to do” is that of a 31-year-old male who has been summoned to appear in the Queenstown District Court this month for a dangerous driving manoeuvre on the Cardrona Valley Road last Thursday (February 5).

“The male conducted a highly dangerous overtaking manoeuvre reaching speeds of nearly 150km/h while approaching a blind corner,” Graeme said.

“This has put any potential oncoming traffic in an extremely dangerous situation.”

“For his efforts, his driver’s licence was suspended on-the-spot, and the vehicle impounded. This is an example of unacceptable driving behaviour which will not be tolerated.”    

Following a four-vehicle accident near Wānaka Airport on Monday (February 9) a 41-year-old male was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital with moderate injuries.

Read more: Four-vehicle crash closes Wānaka-Luggate Highway near airport

“The accident is currently under investigation, however initial indications suggest driver distraction, and unsafe following distances the likely cause,” Graeme said. 

“The drivers and passengers of the other vehicle involved sustained minor injuries not requiring hospitalisation.”         

Graeme issued a warning “to all visitors to the area and locals alike intending on summiting Roys Peak”. 

Police have received numerous calls regarding inappropriate and unsafe parking on Wānaka-Mount Aspiring Road at the base of the Roys Peak track, he said. 

This part of the road is well sign posted and marked as a ‘no parking - no stopping’ area due to the road being narrow, in a high speed zone, with blind corners and summits. 

The local council has issued a significant number of parking infringements over the past week or so due to people blatantly ignoring these signs, he said. 

“Trampers and alpinists alike, please use the designated parking areas off the road and if they are full come back another day.”

Graeme said the acronym ‘RIDS’ used to define factors which significantly contribute to harm on roads: 

• Restraints – Seatbelts including child restraints
• Impairment – Alcohol, illicit and prescription drugs including lack of sleep during long trips
• Distraction – A common one is being on the smart phone while driving
• Speed – Excessive speed, not adhering to the national and sign posted speed limits. 

“I’d also like to emphasise the importance of keeping to the temporary speed zones when driving through roadworks, these are in place to keep roadworkers safe - so please respect their workplace,” he said.

“Another common driver of harm on our roads is not driving to the conditions, for example not keeping safe following distances on high speed zones, on wet roads, and the morning/evening ‘sunstrike’ times.”    

Graeme also reminded people to adhere to advisory speed signs during school drop-off and pick-up to observe and adhere to the advisory speed signs. 

“Ensure you slow down 20km/h when school buses are doing the drop off/pick up. Keep ourselves and the little ones safe during this summer term.”

Call 111 when you need an emergency response from police, fire or ambulance.

Call 105 to report things that don’t need urgent police assistance.

Call *555 to report road incidents that are urgent but not life-threatening.

To make an anonymous crime report contact Crime Stoppers.

PHOTO: Supplied