Tow firms’ radios seized

Press, 6 September 1982, Page 6

Tow firms’ radios seized

PA Auckland Police. Ministry of Transport, and Post Office officials have begun a combined campaign to seize radios from Auckland tow-truck fleets. The aim apparently is to stop tow-truck drivers from “chasing” accidents by using information picked up on radio receivers tuned into emergency channels. Auckland's chief traffic officer, Mr Jim Keery, refused to comment on the blitz, and would only confirm that there had been a campaign. The manager of Greyhound Towing,. Ltd, Mr

Warren Forbes, said his was one of eight towing firms whose radios had been confiscated. Mr Forbes said the firms were angry because legal advice had shown that the authorities had no legal right to take the sets.’ The firms had been using such radio equipment for years. “The Ministry has known about it for years. Why jump down on us now?” he said. Two radio receivers were confiscated when . a Greyhound truck went to an accident scene last week. "We were given no explanation whemthey took the ;

sets, just that we would not get them back and that prosecutions would follow," said Mr Forbes. The Post Office divisional engineer, Mr Ken Elliot, said that tow firms could have a receiver and listen to the various channels but it was illegal to act or use any information. This • was• difficult to prove when it came to enforcing the regulation. Mr Elliot said he did not know, the reasons for the confiscations but “they must have good grounds.” For- instance, a driver could have’had an unlicensed transmitter in his truck, he said. ,