A.A. supports hidden M.O.T.

Press, 6 February 1986, Page 6

A.A. supports hidden M.O.T.

PA Wellington The Automobile Association says it supports a Ministry of Transport ploy of hiding digi-tector-equipped traffic officers behind bushes or on private property. Some motorists say the Ministry has been less than sporting in hiding the officers. It leaves only two thin rubber strips across the road as evidence of a digitector speed trap. A vehicle moving over the strips gives the hidden officer an instant indication of a vehicle’s speed, which can then be transmitted to colleagues further along the road. The hidden officers were used in Calabar Road, beside Wellington’s

Airport, on Tuesday. One motorist, who declined to be named, said that if the Ministry’s intention was to slow traffic to the legal limit, patrols should be visible. The Automobile Association should complain, he said. The association’s Wellington general manager, Mr Brian Gibbons, came out in the Ministry’s favour. The association had successfully lobbied for a higher open-road speed limit, and for greater enforcement and fines, he said. The digitector was designed to be used by a hidden officer, and only drivers who were grossly over the limit would be apprehended.

’ Christchurch’s senior chief traffic officer, Mr lan McLaughlin, said he was not aware of his staff hiding equipment behind trees or oh private property but they did use “mufti” cars and would continue to do so. Rubber strips across the road were clearly visible, he said.