As if by chance, Tauranga cop Darren Adams happened to be driving when he had an idea that could cut back on fines, help young drivers keep an eye on their speed and, ultimately, save lives.

The police senior constable has devised a speedo demerits sticker – an innovation he hopes will serve as a subtle reminder for drivers to check their speed and avoid running up points.

Senior constable Darren Adams' demerit stickers. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

'The fatal statistics haven't been that great and our policy in the police is road safety is everyone's responsibility,” says Darren.

'It was just something that came to me while I was driving and thinking of how people could be continually or frequently reminded of speed and demerits.”

The challenge was to make something generic that could be put in a location that would subliminally or subconsciously remind people to watch their speed.

And it is hoped the demerit points reminder will work just like that. Placed on the speedo, the sticker will be a permanent reminder every time the driver looks at it. The idea is to remind drivers of their speed – and the consequences of a ticket.

According to Darren, most motorists don't keep track of their demerit status, and often it's only when they reach 100 demerits and face the mandatory three-month suspension of their licence that the realisation sets in.

'By encouraging drivers to avoid accumulating demerits we hope to see more people keeping their speed in check, and less lives lost on our roads,” he says.

He's trialled it with family and friends who do find they are looking at the speedo more often.

'Looking at the picture has connotations of speed,” says Darren. 'It's also got a road safety message. It's about all types of driving and all manner of driving behaviour.

'For us giving them out, it's something we consider to be a positive interaction with the public - something that helps an aide memoire if you like.

'I think we can all relate to those times when you have a lot on your mind for whatever reason and you might drive faster than you probably should.”

For people who struggle to keep to the speed limit, he's hoping the little stickers will be enough of a reminder to be of some assistance.

They are voluntary, and will work if people see the benefit of monitoring their speed, says Darren.

Now that police can access drivers' demerit status through their mobile devices, those accumulating points will be encouraged to place a sticker on their speedo or rev counter. The stickers can also be requested by anyone else choosing to display one.

'My role is predominantly working with youth,” says Darren. 'It would be great to see young drivers getting on board with the initiative and parents of young drivers also promoting use of the sticker.

'Ideally we want people to keep their speed down purely because it is the safest way to drive. Most drivers don't go out with the intention of killing or injuring someone, but unfortunately it can happen when drivers take their eye off the ball.

'There is also a minority of people who are happy to disregard the rules unless it directly impacts on their own lives. It's important to remember that having a licence is a privilege, not a right.

'Licences are for people who are deemed responsible to make good driving decisions. We hope a frequent but subtle reminder that the privilege could be taken away will encourage greater driver responsibility.”

The trial of the stickers is currently underway in the Western Bay of Plenty, but if deemed a success, consideration will be given to wider distribution.

Stickers are available from the Tauranga and Tauranga South Police Stations.