Kia ora Wānaka.

Crash, crash, crash and crash!

Crashes were certainly the flavour of the week. Police attended several vehicle crashes in the Wānaka area.

A couple of crashes were due to weather conditions, in particular black ice and the winter road conditions. A reminder that road conditions are for ever changing. Roads can still be icing over from 7am – 8am and onwards.

Cardrona Valley Road and the Crown Range have been particularly icy and extreme care is required. Other crashes involved wild animals, inexperienced drivers, and intoxication.

As mentioned previously, ensure vehicles are safe to drive before hitting the road. This includes windscreens are clear – no ice and no condensation.

Drink driving in our community continues to be an ongoing issue. A number of your family, friends or colleagues were again processed for excessive breath or blood alcohol during the week.

Please make the right decision before jumping into your vehicle and driving if you have been drinking alcohol. Don’t let your family, friends or colleagues down by making a bad decision.

Police attended a couple of family harm Incidents during the week where alcohol was a major element in these episodes.

On the subject of alcohol, police attended an assault that occurred at one of the local establishments. The investigation is ongoing, however using violence and assaulting another person is anti-social behaviour. Appropriate consequences for this person’s actions will be sought.

This type of behaviour is unacceptable and brings unwanted attention to the establishment where the assault occurred.

Police responded to a number of traffic related complaints over the week. Please be a prudent driver and respect the road you drive on and other road users. Be aware of the road rules, speed zones you are travelling in and your general driving manner. A mention must be made to all those sign written vehicles on our roads displaying business names, organisations and phone numbers on them.

Remember you are representing the business, company or organisation that is sign written on your vehicle, so drive appropriately.

A number of mental health episodes were attended by police throughout the week. If you find yourself in a difficult spot that you are struggling to work through, please don’t hesitate to seek help or assistance. Whether this is with family, a doctor, a friend or a service, we are all here to help.

Police continue to deal with a number of reports of online scams. Please be vigilant when it comes to anything that doesn’t feel right. Always double or triple check before committing to any purchases or transactions online and never give out your bank details.

Ka pai Wānaka and keep safe out there. Look after yourselves and our community.