Police have recalled hundreds of breath testing devices because of a technical issue and it is likely Southern police stations are affected.
In July this year, 400 Drager 7510 hand-held breath-screening devices were issued to one-, two- and three-person stations in rural areas of New Zealand.
However, a random spot test by police revealed a problem with the calibration of the machines and led to the recall.
As a result, 80 evidential readings are being reviewed and some tickets and prosecutions may be withdrawn.
A police spokesman confirmed to the Otago Daily Times yesterday it was likely the devices were issued to stations in the Southern district, but police did not have that information readily available.
''I would expect some of them would have gone to one-, two- and three-person stations in Southern district,'' he said.
''But that sort of detail we don't have yet.''
Road policing national manager Superintendent Steve Greally said police would use the previous model, the Drager 6510, while the issue was investigated.
''Operationally, there will be no change to our continued enforcement of drink-drive offences, as testing machines in booze buses and stations are unaffected,'' he said.
''This means anyone caught driving while impaired can expect to be dealt with in the same way.''
The spot checks revealed two of the devices tested did not meet the required international and New Zealand police calibration standards.
There were 2900 other alcohol-testing devices used by police and they had an excellent reliability record, he said.
''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,'' Supt Greally said.
''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 ... This means that if it emerges that anyone has been ticketed or prosecuted incorrectly as a result of this problem, the action will be withdrawn by police.
''We'll also be contacting those people affected to inform them of what's occurred and what we'll be doing to address the issue.''
