Four breathalysers recalled in Masterton

FAULTY: Masterton police have returned some breath testing devices as part of a nationwide recall. PHOTO/FILE

Masterton police have returned four breath testing devices after a nationwide recall.

On Monday police announced they were withdrawing 400 of the Drager 7510 models which had been introduced in July, after a "recent random spot test" revealed a problem with how some machines were calibrated.

Masterton Senior Sergeant Gordon Crawley said the station had only had the four breath testing devices for about two or three weeks before they were returned.

"We've only had them for a very short period of time before they were sent back.

"As soon as we became aware of the issue they went back."

The devices had been sent back to the road policing unit in Wellington for testing, Mr Crawley said.

It was not yet known if any Wairarapa drivers had been ticketed incorrectly, but if they had, Masterton police would follow the national directive, he said.

National road policing manager Superintendent Steve Greally said so far about 80 evidential readings were affected and police would be withdrawing any incorrect tickets or prosecutions caused by the devices.

"Although it is unclear at this stage exactly how the error with some of the 7510 hand-held devices has occurred and how many in total may be affected, we are committed to ensuring that all of the devices are working correctly and fairly.

"While the devices that have failed have only done so by a very small margin, for the avoidance of any doubt we have decided to waive any infringements or charges that may have resulted from them."

While the issue is being investigated, police were continuing to test drink drivers as normal using the Drager 6510 breath screening device, a previous model which was still in widespread use, Mr Greally said.