‘Unjust’ criticism of blitz

Press, 26 July 1978, Page 6

‘Unjust’ criticism of blitz

Hints that traffic officers are ignoring some drinking drivers during their present blitz — for fear of being assaulted — have been described as “unjust” by Christchurch’s chief traffic officer (Mr R. W. Fox). A letter from a correspondent of “The Press," Mr J. K. Young, asked whether drivers being selected for blood-alcohol tests were those aged over 50, or from the group aged between 17 and 25. He said the first group caused least accidents,

according to published figures, but were the most easily dealt with. The 17-25 age group, with “cars full, passengers and driver full” were “not to be stopped by traffic officers for fear of being beaten.” According to the same published figures, he said, this was the group which had most accidents. He said his letter was not intended to excuse his own (over 30) age group from driving home “after a couple too many,” but posed a

question that had arisen during discussion of blitzes. Mr Fox said that Mr Young was obviously not aware of the true situation. “According to our statistics, his comments are a long way from what is actually happening. “There is no clearly defined age group from which we are actually getting more suspects, but they are principally young people. “I’m quite satisfied that Mr Young’s insinuations are totally unjust, and I would ask him to produce some

figures to substantiate what he appears to be saying.” The Minister of Transport (Mr McLachlan) said yesterday that the results of the blitz supported the intention of the Ministry of Transport to strengthen its enforcement effort in the future, reports the Press Association.

“During the first six days of the campaign, traffic officers stopped more than 4500 vehicles, gave 623 first breath tests, 447 second breath tests and got 401 blood tests,” Mr McLachlan said.