Boy racer car crushing law passed

Published: 12:30PM Wednesday October 21, 2009 Source: NZPA

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Parliament has passed its controversial "car crushing" legislation aimed at ending the boy racer problem.

MPs spent Wednesday morning debating the Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure Bill which will see repeat offenders having their cars confiscated or possibly destroyed by crushing.

The bill then had its third reading to become law, passing with an overwhelming majority of 113 votes to nine.

From December anyone caught street racing three times in four years will have their vehicle crushed.

Police Minister Judith Collins says the legislation will help stop illegal car racing and problems associated with it.

Collins estimates just 10 vehicles will be crushed each year.

"In the past they've had a lot of fines, and they've collected these infringement notices and shoved them in their glove box. So this time we've closed a lot of the loopholes, and I think it will make a difference."
       
But Labour's law and order spokesman, Clayton Cosgrove, says he agrees with the Police Association which believes the crushing threat will have little effect.
      
Another boy racer control law was passed earlier , giving councils and police the power to prohibit so-called "cruising" in certain areas and giving police more power to deal with illegally modified and noisy cars.

What do you think of the legislation? Do you think it will effectively deal with the boy racer problem? Share your thoughts on the messageboard below.

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  • mattp13 said on 2009-10-24 @ 12:25 NZDT: Report abusive post

    Does this new law also cover drunk/druged drivers? I think this is a law that is great, but directed towards the wrong people. Also, to crush a car worth $10-$15k plus is MAD!!! Sell it as a car or parts and get some money back into the pot where the money came from to catch the people. I'd be a lot happier knowing that a boy racers car was sold for $15k and that money was going back into the tax pot than knowing that the car has been crushed and the tax paying public has lost out again!

  • davidtheo said on 2009-10-22 @ 04:53 NZDT: Report abusive post

    Why not crush the cars of drunk drivers they are more dangerous then boy races, yes they can be a problem but drunk drivers are more of a problem.

  • scommo said on 2009-10-22 @ 01:11 NZDT: Report abusive post

    Yes crush the cars on first offence is good. Especially those morons who ride round with loud bass music blaring, that is far worse than a loud exhaust imho

  • Noddy samurai said on 2009-10-21 @ 19:00 NZDT: Report abusive post

    Crush the cars after the first offence! The title "Boy Racer" is just a cover/flag for the right or excuse to annoy the public and braking the law

  • laylow said on 2009-10-21 @ 16:19 NZDT: Report abusive post

    i think the the new legislation is the worst idea since the holohaust, crusing does no harm 2 anyone, its just sumthng fun 4 enthusiasts 2 do on tha weekend, u pik on the 'boy racers too' u think thyr the only ones hu break the law. FTP

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