New gadget to catch speedsters

Press, 21 January 1984, Page 7

New gadget to catch speedsters

PA Wellington A super-accurate device called a digitector by the Ministry of Transport may be used to catch speeding motorists.

It calculates a vehicle’s speed by measuring the time a car takes to cross rubber sensors placed across the road.

The Chief Traffic Superintendent, Mr lan Coddington, says the Ministry is using the devices for “research purposes.” “We are always looking out for anything that is a wee bit more accurate than our present enforcement devices,” he said. “The Australian police are using them and we will consult a report they are preparing on its accuracy before making a decision to use them here.”

From February 1, Auckland motorists will come under tne watcntui eye ot a device similar to the digitector.

Costing $13,000, the West German-made Truvelo consists of sensor cables attached to an electronic timer which fits into a briefcase.

Although new to New Zealand, there are 600 used throughout the world. The device records vehicle speed accurately even in heavy traffic, and cannot be detected or disrupted by gadgets carried by motorists.

A spokesman from the Ministry of Transport in Christchurch said last evening that the device would not be used in Christchurch. Many different kinds of

speed-detecting apparatus had been tested in the North Island, but unless the Ministry adopted them officially, they would not be used here, he said.