Reports highlight needless damage to young lives
Police say independent reports released today into a serious fleeing
driver incident in which one young driver died and another in which four
teenagers were badly injured shows the message still isn't getting
through to some drivers.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority reports into the separate
incidents in March this year, found that Police considered all relevant
risk factors before commencing each pursuit, and fully complied with the
law and the Police policy during both of them.
In the first incident in Auckland on 3 March, four young people were
seriously injured after the 16-year-old driver of a stolen car ignored
Police requests to stop and crashed into a concrete island. And, on 16
March in Taupo, suspended restricted driver Callan Moss, 20, died and
one of his two passengers were seriously injured after fleeing Police
and crashing into an oncoming vehicle. The Authority found that both
crashes were caused by the actions of the two young drivers involved,
with speed and alcohol significant factors.
Assistant Commissioner Allan Boreham said while Police welcomed the
Authority's findings regarding Police actions, it was saddening and
frustrating that both crashes could have been avoided.
"The sad fact in both of these crashes is that poor decisions by both
young drivers have resulted in tragic and lifelong consequences that
could so easily been avoided had they simply made the right decision and
stopped for Police.
"Police feel for the families of those involved who are left to deal
with the grief of losing a loved one and the other lifelong effects
caused by serious injuries. All too often we see firsthand the effects
that speed, alcohol and poor decision-making have on our roads,
particularly among young drivers who think they are invincible, and this
is something no family should have to go through.
"The message to all drivers is simple: if you're asked to stop by
Police, then stop. Fleeing Police not only guarantees the likelihood of
facing more serious charges – but also increases the risk of killing or
maiming yourself, your passengers, Police or other innocent road users."
Mr Boreham said fleeing driver incidents were one of the most
challenging situations that Police had to deal with, and officers always
faced a difficult balance when people chose to risk their own and
others’ lives at risk by fleeing Police. However, Police had no
intention of handing the roads over to those who thought they were above
the law.
He said Police accepted the Authority's conclusions and would
continue to work to ensure that its fleeing driver policy was as safe as
it could be, given that pursuits were always dangerous and highly
unpredictable situations.