Majority of police speeding tickets waived

Nearly two-thirds of speed camera fines issued to over 350 police staff last year were waived, the Dominion post reported today.

Figures issued by Police Minister Annette King show 224 of 373 speed camera tickets issued to sworn and non-sworn police staff in the year to November were waived because those photographed were attending urgent incidents.

The rest -- including one to Police Commissioner Rob Robinson -- were paid.

Police spokesman Michael Player said of the 416,492 speed camera infringement notices issued in the 2004-05 year, those to police made up a tiny percentage.

"Given there are 10,000 sworn and non-sworn staff in the New Zealand Police force and around 7000 of those spend a large portion of their working day on the road the 149 speed infringements are in context," he said.

- NZPA