Media Release: 26 May 2009

There can be no place for anti-social behaviour and illegal street racing on our roads

The AA has welcomed the government decision to introduce legislation to crack down on illegal street racers.

The Land Transport (Enforcement Powers) Amendment Bill will allow vehicles to be seized and destroyed as a new penalty for illegal street racing; allow vehicles repeatedly used by people with overdue traffic fines to be seized and sold to pay those fines; and enable Police and Courts to target illegal street racers who commit offences in another person's vehicle. The Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure Bill will allow local authorities to create bylaws that prevent vehicles repeatedly “cruising” city streets; allow the compulsory impoundment of vehicles involved in illegal street racing; and introduce demerit points for noise offences, licence breaches and registration plate offences.

“While the AA supports and respects the rights of New Zealanders to legally modify their vehicles and drive responsibly, there can be no place for anti-social behaviour and illegal street racing on our roads. It is a serious safety risk to pedestrians, other drivers and road users, and the Police and emergency services,” says the AA’s general manager of motoring affairs, Mike Noon.

In a survey of AA members earlier this year:

·         71% said they had been exposed to illegal street racer activity in the last 3 months and believed illegal street racers are a ‘significant’ or ‘very serious’ problem on the road;

·         85% think noise from modified cars is a ‘significant’ or ‘very serious’ problem; and

·         65% had been affected by noise from racers at night more than once a week (only 3% have never been affected).

“The legislative changes will send a very clear message to illegal street racers - ownership and use of a motor vehicle in a society is a privilege, not a right. It entails certain responsibilities, and society has had enough of illegal street racers who regularly breach those responsibilities,” says Mr Noon.

ends

© Scoop Media