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GLENN JEFFREY/Stuff Police conduct a checkpoint near New Plymouth’s Lake Rotomanu on January 8, targetting drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs. It’s a pristine balmy summer’s evening as Taranaki’s Impairment Prevention Team leaves New Plymouth’s police station heading out to try and stop tragedy from striking on the region’s roads. It’s been two years since the Traffic and Alcohol Group (TAG) become the IPT and its trusty Booze Bus was renamed the Mobile Road Safety Base (MRSB) but the goal remains the same – to remove the risk to the public from drivers under the influence. ....
One person, whom Driver picked up as they walked home, told her they had been quoted $130 for a ride from Brooklands Rd to Barrett Rd, a fare that would cost Driver’s passengers $25. Another person reported catching a taxi to the venue for $20, but on their return along the same route, with a different taxi, the fare had increased to $50. Driver said the same group of “rogue taxis” appeared during Womad last year, but otherwise were never seen on the roads by local drivers. Driver said she wanted to look at taking the matter further. “They’re giving us a bad name,” she said. ....
Stuff Taranaki police Search and Rescue (SAR) coordinator Andrew Wong Too wants everybody heading into the marine environment this summer to make sure they’re prepared and have the essential safety equipment. With survival time measured in minutes not hours, Taranaki police Sergeant Andrew Wong Too knew speed was of the essence when a boat capsized this week and three men were thrown into the water. About 3.50pm on Tuesday, the trio’s boat rolled as they attempted to navigate the bar at the Pātea river mouth following a fishing trip. Emergency services, including police, the South Taranaki Coastguard, Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter and an Airforce Orion P3 were alerted and took part in the ensuing search. ....