Minor infringements this month have already exceeded last month’s total of 60, with over 90 fines issued in just over two weeks.

According to Cook Islands Police media and strategic advisor Trevor Pitt, police checkpoints issued over 90 infringement notices in the first two weeks of May, exceeding the total fines issued to drivers last month.

The number of traffic fines continues to grow significantly as drivers refuse to follow traffic laws and their road responsibilities.

One particular frontline Police team, under the leadership of Sergeant Iva Parima, was responsible for a significant portion of these total fines, accounting for nearly 80 per cent.

“Already the monthly total of minor infringement notices (MONs) far exceeds last month’s 60 fines issued to drivers. That peak in April was in itself a major leap upward compared to previous months,” police said in a statement.

“Police presence on the roads is now being felt as scores of motorcyclists are being seen turning around and fleeing being checked.”

Pitt said motorcyclists avoiding checkpoints was a concern.

“The number of motorcyclists blatantly avoiding checkpoints is a concern but it’s only a matter of time before such drivers are eventually caught.”

Over the weekend, police received reports of crashes and several drivers had their keys confiscated.

A road incident occurred on Saturday, May 17, when a motorcyclist crashed in Tupapa driving into a parked rental car at Club Raro.

Police were called to the scene at 2:56 am on Saturday morning, followed by an ambulance. The motorcyclist sustained head injuries and was taken to the hospital, accompanied by a police officer. A blood test was requested for analysis; police will have the results in a week or so

According to Pitt, other weekend incidents were mostly minor – there were two noise complaints, one juvenile offender breached his court order, a minor collision in Titikaveka and an arrest for a returned blood result for excess alcohol.

According to Pitt, noise complaints are a continuous and common issue on weekends and remain an ongoing matter.

“Police don’t tolerate being called back to the same place twice so sound systems can be confiscated until a fee is paid.”

Regarding the juvenile offender, who breached his court order, police said there are known juvenile offenders who are on curfew orders.

“Police were trying to locate him. Unfortunately, these juveniles have a tendency to reoffend when on the loose, thus inflicting more pain on innocent people,” Pitt said.

• Teitimoana Tairi/Police Media