Compliance checks begin

A police checkpoint on George St, in Dunedin, processes motorists earlier this week as they begin targeting drink-driving and car compliance leading up to Labour Weekend.

Senior Sergeant Mel Aitken said officers were also reminding drivers of the need to stay less than 4kmh above the permanent posted speed limit during the weekend.

Compliant motorists were rewarded with lollipops.

Two people were killed on southern roads and another five were seriously injured last Labour Weekend.

The official holiday period started at 4pm yesterday and finishes at 6am on Tuesday.

Figures released yesterday showed there had been 220 road deaths in the year to date, well down on the 297 this time last year.

Eight people were killed and 125 injured on New Zealand roads last Labour Weekend.