Wonder how long before everyone catches on. ::)

Cardboard cop car gets results
By KARIN CHUG - The Nelson Mail | Wednesday, 24 January 2007


MARION VAN DIJK/Nelson Mail
LOOKALIKE: Fulton Hogan's traffic management supervisor Mike Gibney is trying out a fake police car to slow down drivers near road works in the Nelson area.

A cardboard cutout police car is slowing traffic at Nelson roadworks sites in an initiative that roading contractor Fulton Hogan hopes to push nationwide.

The $1000 model has been used by the company for just over a week to prompt motorists to heed speed restrictions at state highway roadworks in the Nelson region.

Fulton Hogan's regional manager Tim Talbot said the idea originated out of concern that staff could be injured by speeding motorists.

"On Monday we had a van drive through a work site on Queen St (Richmond) and clip the finger of a guy using a rake. It was not accidental because the guy then yelled at him out of the window. People think they are having a bit of sport."

Staff were often injured by gravel sent flying when people drove too fast through roadworks, he said.

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