Police suspect speed and alcohol in deadly crash | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

A woman employed as a caregiver was among those caught boozed and behind the wheel over the long weekend.

The woman was stopped by police at the intersection of Otumoetai Rd and Waihi Rd on Saturday night and failed an alcohol breath test.

Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager acting Senior Sergeant Mark Holmes said the woman had three special needs clients in the car at the time, and traffic alcohol staff were "very concerned".

Mr Holmes said police attended 10 crashes over Labour Weekend and five of them involved alcohol. One was fatal.

Alcohol and speed were believed to have been key factors in the crash that killed a Tauranga woman and left an international student fighting for his life in Tauranga Hospital.

A 24-year-old woman died at the scene when the car she was driving crashed into a concrete bridge pillar on Tamatea Arikinui Drive on Sunday night.

The smash happened during the Rugby World Cup final.

A 21-year-old Bay of Plenty Polytechnic student, the woman's partner, is in a critical condition in the intensive care ward today.

They had been heading towards the city when they crashed.

Tauranga firefighters had to cut free the unconscious passenger before he was taken to hospital.

Police investigating the crash said provisional findings indicated speed and alcohol were key factors in the incident.

Mr Holmes said more drink-drivers had been caught this Labour Weekend than last.

A 40-year-old Tauranga woman is facing her third drink driving charge within 12 months after she was again caught driving with excess breath alcohol.

Passersby also assisted with the apprehension of a drunk driver at about 10.30am on SH2 near Papamoa, Mr Holmes said.

The driver was allegedly speeding and swerving all over the road.

He was stopped after motorists phoned police to report his actions.

The driver, a 30-year-old truck driver from Matamata, was processed for drink driving and had his licence suspended immediately for 28 days.

There were 5268 drivers pulled over by police in the Western Bay during the long weekend and 41 of them failed alcohol breath tests.

Mr Holmes said he expected this figure to increase as more paperwork came in.

Last year 24 drivers were charged for drink-driving from a total of 5102 drivers pulled over.

"I'd have to say I'm pretty disappointed," Mr Holmes said.

"There appears to be a lack of responsibility by some drivers for their safety and the safety of other road users."

Operation Profile, a local police campaign targeting drunk and drugged drivers during summer, began at Labour Weekend.

Last year 529 people were charged with driving while under the influence by the time the operation finished in mid-January.

This Labour Weekend police adopted several tactics to target drink-drivers.

They included the use of plain cars and the monitoring of vehicles leaving licensed premises.

Mr Holmes said there was little excuse in today's world for driving while drunk.

"It's really simple. If you are intending to drink, arrange other transport or have a sober driver.

"Don't fall into the trap of thinking, 'I will be right as I have only had a couple'," Mr Holmes said.

Last year 13 people died on Western Bay roads, and alcohol caused eight of those deaths.