Dangerous Driving During Rotorua Funeral Leads to Arrests and Vehicle Impounds

Rotorua Police have taken decisive action against a group of individuals who engaged in reckless behavior during a funeral procession, resulting in multiple arrests and vehicle impounds. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday around 11 a.m. in Westbrook, has drawn strong condemnation from local authorities.

The procession, which included a mix of cars and motorcycles, was observed performing dangerous maneuvers, including burnouts, before heading north on State Highway 5. This behavior not only disrupted the solemn nature of the event but also posed a serious threat to public safety.

Police intercepted the procession near Fairy Springs and arrested three individuals. Those charged faced a range of offenses, including failing to stop, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and allowing passengers to ride unsafely. The vehicles involved were seized for further investigation.

In addition to the arrests, ten infringement notices were issued for various traffic violations such as unsafe passenger positioning, ignoring traffic signals, and driving without a valid license. One passenger was also summonsed to court for unrelated shoplifting charges.

Inspector Phil Gillbanks, who was acting as the Rotorua Area Commander, addressed the incident by emphasizing that while communities have a right to grieve, law enforcement will not tolerate dangerous or antisocial behavior on the roads. He encouraged the public to report unsafe driving immediately.

Those charged and summonsed are expected to appear in court at a later date. Police have urged the public to use the 111 emergency line or the 105 non-emergency line to report unsafe road behavior when it is safe to do so. Alternatively, the public can contact Crime Stoppers for non-emergency reports.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of respecting both the dignity of funerals and the safety of all road users. The consequences of such reckless actions have been clear, and the community is now left to reflect on the broader implications of this event.