Highway Cops

In Central Otago, highway police confront a driver whose reckless behaviour has prompted a stop. When questioned, the motorist offers a humorous justification, insisting he is a Grand Prix champion, and the officers must assess the claim despite the evident danger of his driving.

The programme follows the work of highway police operating in the Central Otago region, presenting a slice of their day‑to‑day duties on the open road. It is presented in a straightforward, observational style that captures the routine yet unpredictable nature of traffic enforcement in this part of New Zealand. In one of the featured incidents, officers pull over a motorist whose driving has been deemed hazardous. When questioned, the driver offers a rather unusual defence: he insists that his reckless behaviour is justified because he is a Grand Prix champion. The claim is delivered with a tone that the police find both surprising and mildly humorous. The encounter highlights the contrast between the officer’s responsibility to maintain safety and the driver’s self‑appointed excuse. The police remain focused on addressing the dangerous conduct, while the motorist’s assertion adds an element of levity to the situation. The segment captures the officers’ measured response and the driver’s insistence on his racing credentials, underscoring how unexpected justifications can surface during routine traffic stops. Overall, the episode provides a concise look at a typical highway patrol operation in Central Otago, punctuated by this particular case where a driver’s claim of Grand Prix status becomes the centrepiece of an otherwise routine traffic stop.