A man was caught speeding four times in little over an hour in the Lindis Pass.
Zihao Liu, of Hamilton, was caught by a mobile speed camera three times in 50 minutes travelling between 129kmh and 150kmh on State Highway 8 on September 10.
The 24-year-old’s driving prompted the camera’s operator to request a road policing patrol, and Senior Constable Phil Beckwith caught the man again speeding about 25 minutes later near Tarras — this time travelling at 140kmh.
Liu’s display has prompted police to again warn motorists about the dangers of high-speed driving.
Sergeant Bruce Martin, of the Alexandra-based road policing group, said police decided to prosecute Liu due to his display of speed.Liu had already accumulated 125 demerit points on his driver’s licence and was wanted for service of demerit points suspension notice.
"There was clearly a pattern of poor driving and it seemed speeding infringements with no demerit points attached would not be an adequate way of dealing with it," Sgt Martin said, in police magazine Ten One this month.
Police Infringement Bureau staff set the infringement process to allow police prosecutions to seek action through the courts.
He pleaded guilty when he appeared in the Hamilton District Court last month and was convicted of driving at a dangerous speed, and was disqualified from driving for six months and fined $750 plus court costs.
"I’m not saying we should do this all the time, but when you take into account the conditions — high speed, a mountain pass with late winter driving conditions, a tourist route with lots of bends and curves — it’s a good team effort and really good outcome," Sgt Martin said.
A summary of facts said Liu explained his speeding — when pulled over by Snr Const Beckwith — as being a result of passing another vehicle.
"When advised of the three other speed recordings, he made no comment and appeared unconcerned," the summary said.An attempt by the Otago Daily Times to approach Liu for an explanation for his speeding was unsuccessful.
A police spokeswoman said Liu’s actions were concerning to police.
"Any death or injury is one too many and road users need to do their part to reduce deaths and injuries on our roads," she said.
"If you crash — regardless of the cause or who is at fault — speed is the single factor that most affects the outcome.
"Just a few kilometres per hour can be the difference between avoiding a collision — or a crash with a tragic outcome.
"Police do not want to see anyone die needlessly on our roads so we ask that people please take this seriously and stick to the speed limit."
