Traffic Control

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30763, 29 May 1965, Page 14

Traffic Control

Sir, —Would it be possible to have cleared up once and for all the question of traffic officers marking car tyres with great ugly strokes of white chalk? On one hand I hear that there is nothing the poor, suffering motorist can do, and on the other that as the car is not the property of the officer he cannot legally mark, disfigure, or tamper with it anyway. On questioning an officer on this part he said that rubbing off a chalk mark from a tyre is obstructing an officer in his duty. I, for one, always am ready to obey the traffic department and assist them in their almost impossible task. I do, however, object to these white marks on my newlynuggeted tyres. Admittedly in most cases the mark is on the tread, where it will soon wear off, but too often the line extends on to the clean side walls of the tyre. I also feel there is some cause for objection to officers opening car doors to stick a “bluey” on the inside of the window or windscreen. —Yours, etc., WONDERING.

May 25, 1965. [The traffic superintendent of the Christchurch City Council (Mr J. F. Thomas) said:—“Should the correspondent want a definite opinion as to the legality of officers marking tyres, might I suggest he consult his solicitor, who is qualified to give such an opinion? However, I appreciate the concern expressed regarding the chalk mark extending to the side walls of tyres, and officers will be asked to confine the markings to the tread only.”]