Tickets from traffic police treble

The number of speeding tickets issued by traffic police has trebled since 2000, with nearly 400,000 handed out last year.

The jump in officer-issued tickets was despite speed cameras snapping fewer drivers and camera revenue being at a five-year low.

Police are facing accusations that front line officers are being occupied with issuing traffic fines, instead of attending violent and other crime.

Figures released by the Government showed police officers issued 395,912 tickets last year, compared with 137,427 in 2000.

The number of speed camera tickets peaked in 2003 when about 494,600 were issued, but dropped to 464,000 last year -- totalling about $40.8 million in fines.

Road policing manager Inspector John Kelly said road safety was core police business, as was the 111 system, the Dominion Post reported.

The police contract had earmarked two million hours for traffic work.

From East Cape to southern Hawke's Bay, almost three times as many tickets were issued through speed cameras as by officers.

Auckland, North Shore and Waitakere were among the areas with the highest number of tickets issued through cameras last year, he said.

Taranaki, Ruapehu and Manawatu south to Otaki had the most tickets issued by officers (49,190) but one of the lowest numbers of speed camera tickets.

Wellington police officer-issued tickets (33,286) were almost on a par with camera tickets (33,650).

Mr Kelly said the increase in officer-issued tickets could be because of the recently introduced 10km/h-over the speed limit tolerance, which was introduced in 2000.

Speed cameras could be adjusted automatically but it could have taken officers longer to adjust.

- NZPA