Watch on motorists

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32965, 11 July 1972, Page 14

Watch on motorists

Many Christchurch motorists yesterday had their first glimpse of the new warning notice shown at left.

Ministry of Transport officers set up checks on many of the main routes into the city. The warning sign was placed about half a mile from the check-point.

Senior Traffic Officer R. J. Dellow and Traffic Officer B

Lawrence manned a check in Cranford Street for an hour in the middle of the afternoon. Only a woman passenger and a woman driver in two separate cars were not obeying the law.

Some drivers were obviously reminded by the sign and could be seen stopping before the check to fasten their belts. Many drivers wearing belts gave the officers a friendly wave to signify that they were on the right side of the law. “We want people to comply with the law voluntarily,” Mr Dellow said.

“This scheme is a good way of selling the law to the public without getting too forceful.” Those persons not wearing belts when stopped are reminded to do so and handed a small information leaflet, which has a calender on one side. Only if the offenders refused to fasten their belts would an offence notice be issued at this stage, Mr Dellow said. The officers found the task of carrying out the check harder than it appeared. At times it was difficult to distinguish pre-1965 model vehicles from those which come under the law. It was also hard to see belts at a distance when they were worn over clothing of a similar colour. In smaller vehicles the belts are often fitted at a lower lever and so are not easy to see. Both officers were pleased with the number of persons wearing belts in pre-1965 cars.

Mr Dellow expects the

checks to continue, often during peak-hour traffic, for three weeks. The photograph shows Senior Traffic Officer Dellow and Mr Albion Wright, who had his belt fastened when stopped in Cranford Street.