Guy Welcomes Car Crushing Legislation
Otaki MP Nathan Guy welcomes the introduction of car crushing legislation giving Police and Councils greater powers to deal with the antisocial behaviour of illegal street racers.
“This legislation will go some way to stopping boy racers in their tracks,” Mr Guy says.
“The intimidating and dangerous behaviour of these hoons at the wheel has caused a great deal of frustration in our local communities.
“I believe that the loss of licence and vehicle provisions will be a powerful deterrent to these offenders and hopefully stop their cars from coming near the crushing plant.”
Mr Guy says under the proposed legislation, Kapiti Coast and Horowhenua District Councils will be able to establish local bylaws to forbid continuous ‘cruising’ of certain streets or rural roads.
“This will put a halt to big groups of youth turning up to well known spots for drag racing and tormenting the local neighbourhood.”
The main points of the legislation are:
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.
Courts can order destruction of cars involved in three illegal street-races or burnouts in four years.
Car crushing orders can apply even if the car is owned by someone else.
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.
He says the two bills have been introduced to Parliament this week and will go to select committee, where the public will be able to make submissions.
“We hope to have the legislation in place by the end of the year.”