The Police Minister says a summer crackdown on speeding is not a revenue-gathering exercise.
Police are enforcing a reduced speed tolerance for two months - extending the crackdown beyond the Christmas/New Year holiday period.
Police will begin introducing coloured patrol cars nationwide. Photo: RNZ
From 1 December until 31 January, police will fine any motorist caught driving more than 4 km/h over the speed limit.
In the past the limit has been enforced from Christmas until 3 January, and on other public holidays and long weekends. A speed tolerance of 9 km/h applies the rest of the year.
Police Minister Anne Tolley says the extension is about making holiday driving safer and is not motivated by revenue gathering.
"Police don't get the revenue from that so there's nothing for them to gain. It goes straight into the Consolidated Fund.
"What they are absolutely focussed on is making our roads safer and reducing the number of families who lose a loved one."
Police Commissioner Peter Marshall says a stricter tolerance limit brought down the number of deaths and injuries over public holidays by 67% last year.
The Government is also rolling out orange and red highway patrol cars to heighten the visibility of police on the roads.
