A controversial checkpoint in Masterton's busy Chapel St mid-morning on Friday may have frustrated some drivers, but police are unrepentant.
Sergeant Mike Sutton said breath-testing checkpoints can be "anywhere at anytime".
"It's quite common to have checkpoints in Chapel St," he said.
He said several factors came into play when choosing a place to set up a checkpoint, including availability of staff, the safety of the environment, the amount of traffic in the area, and any relevant information such as an event happening. Masterton resident Jamie Linton said he was annoyed when the stop-start traffic almost resulted in his car being "clipped" by another motorist at a roundabout.
Traffic had backed up along Chapel St and he challenged police about the need for the checkpoint at that time of day, and was told "it could be for training purposes".
Mr Sutton said there was always a traffic risk involving checkpoints, but Chapel St was an ideal place as it was a wide road, had a median and high visibility.
Cops remorseless on roadblock
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