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A boy racer smokes the tyres of his car at night in Palmerston North - Source: ONE News -
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Tough new boy racer laws won't work unless the courts back them, the Labour Party says.
And MP Clayton Cosgrove has doubts about whether they will.
"Current law allows courts to confiscate cars permanently now, even for a first offence," he said last night.
"Confiscation is only happening now in about 2% of cases - what guarantee is there that courts will back up this legislation any more than they do the current law?"
Cosgrove is reacting to the government's announcement that it was bringing two bills to Parliament drafted to deal with street racing and the bad behaviour that often goes with it.
They give police stronger powers of seizure and, as a last resort, cars could be crushed.
"This Government and the public have run out of patience with illegal street racers," said Prime Minister John Key.
Police Minister Judith Collins said the message for boy racers is that every new offence would bring their cars closer to the crusher.
Under the legislation, drivers convicted of three street racing related offences within four years could see their cars destroyed.
Cosgrove, who represents a Christchurch electorate plagued by boy racers, introduced boy racer legislation when he was a government backbencher in 2002.
It wasn't as strong as the government has drafted but it closed some loopholes which existed at that time.
He said the courts didn't back it up "and that means whole communities are still subject to the misery caused by these hoons".
The government hopes to have the bills passed by December 1.
How do you feel about the new legislation? Fair enough or outraged? Share your views on our message board below:
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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