NZ Red Light Rat Line
A New Zealand resident who wants a red light running warning citation sent to a stranger or an enemy only needs to call a toll-free phone number. On Tuesday, the Manukau City Council unveiled its program that allows anyone to contact the police and accuse someone of an intersection traffic violation. “We’re asking the community to join the council in sending a message to these drivers that it’s not on,” Manukau City Council member David Collings said. “If people see drivers running red lights they should dial 0800 STOP 4 RED.”
Those who call or use the online form should first know the license plate number as well as the color and make of the vehicle owned by the person they wish to accuse. They should also be prepared with an intersection location, date and time for the alleged incident. Recipients of a visit from the police or a warning letter will not be allowed to confront their accuser as police insist such information “will be kept strictly confidential.”
In addition to the hotline, Manukau Police have set up lucrative operations where a half-dozen officers wait to issue NZ$150 tickets to drivers at intersections. The council hopes before the end of the year to increase this revenue further by installing automated ticketing machines.
More by Robert Farago
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How is that any different that what we have been able to do in California? I've called in cars to the CHP before. And sometimes the CHP will track down the owner and warn them to stop that s**t. One time I called in an idiot who kept switching lanes on the freeway without looking. I was on my motorcycle and the bastard squeezed me into another car when he decided he wanted to put his car where where my motorcycle was. The CHP gave him a warning in the mail.
To be fair - NZ drivers are the worst in the world...I have just got back to Aussie after a short trip home to NZ...if they arent texting on the phone whilst driving 5 inches off your rear bumper in the rain, they are trying to drive in as many lanes as possible at any one time, or attempting to set a new world record in how close one can follow another car at highway speeds, or just not paying attention (one moron was busy having some sort of romantic entanglement with his girlfriend whilst roaring up behind us as the lights turned red - I took a free left turn to escape this total brain dead idiot)... I used to think the QLD drivers were bad...not a bit...I dont think there is a single NZ'r that can drive (except perhaps Scott Dixon)...most NZ'rs shouldnt be allowed a license to drive...