New laws this year to crush cars

BY COLIN ESPINER

Tough new laws allowing boy racers' cars to be seized and even crushed for "cruising" city streets are likely to be in force by the end of the year.

Police Minister Judith Collins warned that "every new offence (for street racing) will bring them closer to the crusher".

Prime Minister John Key said the tipping point for the legislation was the attack on a lone policeman by about 300 boy racers in Christchurch this year.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker yesterday called the move "a big step in the right direction".

"In terms of issues like the circuits around the city, this is empowering local government and giving us an extra tool."

Yesterday, police welcomed the Government's move to target illegal street racing, saying two bills introduced to Parliament yesterday would make a "significant difference".

Under the proposals, authorities will have more power to seize and, as a last resort, crush the cars of boy racers on their third street-racing offence within four years.

Street racing includes sustained loss of traction, noisy vehicles, and operating vehicles in an anti-social manner.

The new laws will also provide local councils with the power to draft bylaws outlining "anti-cruising" areas, banning boy racers.

Those defying the ban would have their cars impounded on a second offence within three months. Police will also get tougher powers to deal with boy-racer meetings, including the ability to require vehicles be driven to specific addresses, forbidding boy racers from driving, and confiscating keys.

Fines for street racing and graduated licence offences have actually been lowered, from $400 per offence to $100.

However, demerit points, which can lead to loss of licence, will be increased.

About 100 crashes a year are attributed to illegal street racing, and the Government says the activity is responsible for an average 10 deaths per year.

Another 46 people are seriously injured by street racing, with a further 125 minor injuries. The social cost of the crashes is estimated at $30 million a year.

Key said: "This Government and the public have lost patience with illegal street racers".

The legislation has widespread support in Parliament, with Labour yesterday confirming it would support it at least as far as select committee.

ACT and United Future have also pledged support for its first reading. The Government wants the law in place by December.

Collins, who earned the nickname "Crusher Collins" after suggesting destroying boy racers' cars this year, said the ability to crush cars provided a strong deterrent.

"For the offenders we are talking about, they care about only two things one is their driving licence, and the other is their car. The message to those who want to indulge in illegal street racing is that every new offence will bring them closer to the crusher."

Collins said the parents of boy racers who bought vehicles and finance companies would be kept in the loop. Vehicle owners and creditors must be issued with a warning notice after a driver's second offence and may then seek to repossess the vehicle before it is destroyed.

However, car crushing was not expected to become a growth industry, Collins said.

In 2007, only 10 offenders had the required three offences within four years to trigger the crushing clause.

Transport Minister Stephen Joyce said his bill would allow councils to specify areas banning boy racers.

The so-called "anti-cruising" legislation would define cruising as driving repeatedly over the same section of road in a manner that either drew attention to the power or sound of the engine, or created a convoy of vehicles, Joyce said.

Labour leader Phil Goff said the Opposition would support the bills to select committee, although he was unsure if the new legislation would be effective. Legislation already gave judges the power to confiscate cars but they appeared reluctant to use it, Goff said.

A Christchurch car enthusiast believed the threat of car crushing would fail to deter street racers. "People are still going to run the risk and just try to get away, and then there's the danger they might crash," said Shaun Hounsell, 21.

WHAT'S NEW

Courts can order destruction of cars involved in three illegal street-races or burnouts in four years.

Destruction orders can apply even if the car is owned by someone else.

Courts can disregard sales of cars under threat of orders if the sales were to avoid penalties, such as destruction.

Police must impound cars for 28 days if they are involved in burnouts or racing. This used to be discretionary.

Councils can ban "cruising" convoys of boy racers from certain areas, with cars impounded for a second offence within 90 days.

Police get new powers to remove learner and restricted drivers from the road if they breach their licences, including seizing ignition keys and immobilising cars.

Fines for breaching licences reduced from $400 to $100, but demerit points raised from 25 to 35 seen as a greater deterrent.

Tough new penalties for failing to stop, with a third offence resulting in a year's loss of licence and mandatory jail of up to three months.

- with The Dominion Post

- © Fairfax NZ News