Police say motorists are missing the point in displaying attitudes that are ‘overly casual’, following another disappointing weekend on Rarotonga roads.

After a monthly high of 26 reported motor vehicle crashes in November – there need only be a reported 10 more incidents on Rarotonga this month – to equal last year’s total of 218, according to Cook Islands Police figures.

So far, Police expect this total for 2022 to be surpassed, Police spokesman Trevor Pitt said on Monday.

“The driving attitude here is not improving; it is entrenched with an overly casual attitude to the risks involved.”

Pitt said the main cause of crashes on our roads was carelessness.

“It’s all down to attitude.”

In terms of the upcoming Christmas and New Year holiday period, Pitt said the message was the same every year.

“The last thing we want is a fatality; get a sober driver if you are out and about.”      

Meanwhile, power poles in particular have been copping a hammering, in recent weeks, he said.  

“The latest occurred yesterday (Sunday) morning when a truck demolished a wooden pole at Betela, Arorangi.”

Police were called to the scene at 6.59am.

Pitt said the driver told Police he had been drinking and had fallen asleep at the wheel on the way home.

A blood specimen was sought for analysis.

More than a dozen motorcyclists were stopped for stunting over the weekend and a number impounded. 23120435

Pitt said the weekend also yielded a high number of confiscated motorcycles, when a resident notified Police on Sunday about a group of stunting drivers.

Thirteen drivers (plus passengers) were identified by Police.

Eight motorbikes were seized for being non-compliant, and five were released.