Noise limits seen as answer to boy racers

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Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, moteliers and boy racers have called on MPs to cut car-noise limits.

A parliamentary select committee evaluating two proposed boy-racer laws heard submissions in Christchurch yesterday.

Parker, car enthusiasts and self-proclaimed boy racers separately called on the Government to cut noise levels on all cars from 95 decibels to 90 decibels, as is the case in Australia.

The four car enthusiasts who spoke to the committee said they would support a lowering of noise limits.

The proposed laws would give authorities more power to seize and even crush the cars of boy racers guilty of a third street-racing offence within four years. The laws would give police more power to break up gatherings and would reduce fines for street-racing offences in favour of more demerit points.

Councils would be able to ban boy racers "cruising" in specific areas through new bylaws.

Parker told the committee boy racers were "the most destructive issue in our community" and a universal noise limit would eliminate many problems associated with them.

"Why can't the people of this city and country have the same protection from noise as our neighbours in Australia?"

Parker said "the people of Christchurch have really had a gutsful".

"There have been attempts in the past to resolve the issue, but it is still with us. There is a group of anti-social, self-centred, sometimes violent and self-destructive people, whose weapons of choice are modified motor vehicles."

Stuart MacIntosh said he was not a typical boy racer, but drove a modified car and occasionally joined a convoy and "drove around the four avenues" as a "solely recreational pursuit".

He told the committee that standard noise limits for cars could resolve many boy-racer problems.

He was concerned that law-abiding boy racers could get caught up in the new law.

"I do not think it is fair to associate criminality with boy-racer groups," he said.

"On the whole, these laws would not be that effective at reducing the perceived problems."

Chartered accountant and car enthusiast Anthony Rohan also called for noise limits.

"If the sound is reduced at the outset, you will get rid of the majority of complaints," he said.

Todd Stevenson, a car enthusiast, was concerned he could be caught up in the legislation.

"I am concerned that some of the laws might hit lawful activities," he said. "They will affect a much wider group of people than the ones who cause the troubles."

City councillor Sue Wells said proposals to tackle "cruising" with bylaws would not work. The Local Government Act made it difficult for councils to implement bylaws that covered areas already controlled by national legislation.

Melanie Jane Ross, whose parents run a bed-and-breakfast business in Bealey Ave, said the bill did not go far enough.

"We're disturbed by the noise every Friday and Saturday night.

"Numerous guests are disgusted at the Government for not doing enough.

"As a 15-year-old student, I'm worried about the health issues of not getting enough sleep," Ross said.

Her mother, Pauline Oliver, said the noise was so bad they had stopped taking guests on Friday and Saturday nights.

When guests checked in, they were provided with ear plugs.

"They ask why and I tell them that I can fix any problem in the bed and breakfast, but I can't fix something that local and central government won't deal with," she said.