High-speed chase

Press, 22 September 1980, Page 16

High-speed chase

Sir, — While viewing “The Mainland Touch” on September 18, I was amazed to hear the interviewer being critical of M.O.T. action in a high-speed chase through Christchurch of 15-year-old and 13-year-old boys on a stolen motorcycle. I feel he exaggerated the issue by taking the view that the M.O.T. should have had in mind the danger “to innocent pedestrians and drivers on the road.” To me, a siren signifies some

kind of emergency, and most reasonable people would automatically pull over to the side of. the road and allow an unhindered passage. If someone in authority (whether police, fireman or ambulance driver) has assessed a situation and decides it requires prompt and urgent attention, surely it is not too much to ask the public to respect that opinion by being considerate in such a situation? — Yours, etc. JULIA A. RYAN. September 19, 1980.

Sir, —lt seems Ironic that the Ministry of Transport has called for more power after Thursday’s highspeed chase through our city. Mr Dunlop’s comment that nobody was injured except the boy is to me indicative of the Ministry of Transport’s attitude. One death has occurred in our city as a result of a highspeed chase, yet the tactics are still used. — Yours, etc., M. R. D. ANNAN. September 19, 1980.

Sir, — After watching Thursday’s “The Mainland Touch” report on the “Starsky and Hutch” chase through Christchurch, I wonder why anyone would want to be involved with law enforcement. All the reporter was interested in was whether the Ministry of Transport representative would admit an “apprehend-at-all-costs-policy.” Forget the fact that the youths broke the law in the first place; it doesn’t matter. What did matter, to the reporter, was. the fact that the traffic officers in the course of duty, became involved in a “dangerous situation,” with the emphasis on the danger to the youths and the public. The danger to the public was probably no greater than that encountered by any motorist travelling south from Christchurch on a Sunday evening and as for the youths, well, a slightly grazed knee is a small penalty to pay for becoming a front page heroj -— Yours, etc., M. B. O’MALLEY, Ashburton. September 19, 1980.