Microwave Patrols

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31520, 7 November 1967, Page 16

Microwave Patrols

Sir, —T. M. Maling rightly queries whether the roads where radar traps are used are dangerous. From the Marble Arch in the heart of London to Hyde Park Comer, the busiest corner in the world, there are eight lines of traffic at speeds which under New Zealand traffic regulations (twice as many as in Britain), magistrates have no option but to impose a term of disqualification. With increasing traffic here, to prevent congestion and ensure safe traffic flow, the authorities will have to concentrate on education regarding the primary rule of the road—keep to the left (which is just not observed here), education on multiple-lane driving in unmarked lanes, and more of their excellent driver refresher courses; and less on their punitive reve-nue-raising ($12,652 between December and May last) from police court fines. In peak hours Wellington officers go to side roads: otherwise city traffic would be brought to a standstill.—Yours, etc., SETH NEWELL. November 6, 1967.

Sir,—lf radar-cars survive to old age as speed-detectors, our new access roads may see them issuing tickets to slow drivers. Why not use them today to deal with the dithering idiots as well as the blithering variety who speed in built-up areas? In Riccarton Road, for instance, still a main outlet, there is ladylike shopping on wheels making up its mind slowly where to stop and shop. Red tape probably prohibits the use of radar equipment for this purpose, and congratulations will have to wait for the

first radar officer adding to our traffic lore in this way.— Yours, etc., A. B. CEDARIAN. November 6, 1967.