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Repeat offenders will have their cars crushed under a tough new
law that's part of a fresh government crack down on illegal street
racing.
The Prime Minister, John Key, says boy racer behaviour is
irritating and dangerous and he wants their cars off New Zealand's
roads.
The prized possession of a street racer could end up a crushed cube
of metal under new laws.
But one boy racer say says it's not going to stop them.
"To be honest they are only going to be able to crush two or three
cars a year. Most people have money owing on their cars or have it
in someone else's name which means it makes it difficult for the
government to seize it and destroy it," says Nick Shanks, a car
enthusiast.
Difficult maybe, but on Tuesday "Crusher Collins", Police Minister
Judith Collins, set about earning her nickname.
Three offences over four years means the car is heading to the
crusher. That's for offences like burnouts and skids.
"Every new offence will now bring them closer to the crusher," says Collins.
Illegal street racing kills on average 10 people a year and has
a social cost of $30 million, a cost the government says is too
high.
"There will be harsh consequences for those who choose to use their
vehicles in this way. This government and the public have run
out of patience with illegal street races," says Key.
The government is also tweaking other parts of the law.
If you have an unpaid traffic fine, the car can be seized and sold to pay those fines.
If you are driving someone else's car and you commit an offence, you can now be charged.
And cruising the streets will now become illegal, a clause
Transport Minister Steven Joyce says will not catch innocent
drivers.
"You would have to be drawing attention to the power or sound of
the engine of the motor vehicle, so I would think it would leave
the person who is lost off," says Joyce.
Boy racers don't seem to care.
"There is only so much they can do. They've been saying that for what 20 odd years now, ever since our parents were doing this kind of stuff," says Shanks.
But the government is promising they will be able to crush the life of the boy racer culture.
One piece of legislation will increase the penalties for boy racing, while a second will allow for offenders' cars to be crushed as a last resort.
The Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure 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
-Enable Police and Courts to target illegal street racers who
commit offences in another person's vehicle
The Land Transport (Enforcement Powers) Amendment Bill will include provisions to:
- Allow local authorities to create bylaws that prevent vehicles
repeatedly "cruising" city streets
- Allow the compulsory impoundment of vehicles involved in illegal
street racing
- Introduce demerit points for noise offences, licence breaches and
registration plate offences. This will ensure repeat offenders will
lose their licenses, rather than just accrue fines.
How do you feel about the new legislation? Fair enough or outraged? Share your views on our message board below:
Add a Comment:
Post new commentmattp13 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