Waipā boy racer bylaw begins
Thursday, 29 August 2024
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A Waikato council is attempting to put the brakes on boy racers by banning light vehicles on several rural roads.
A new bylaw by Waipā District Council means police now have the power to issue warning notices and impound cars of rule breakers.
Signs advising the ban on light motor vehicles on several rural roads are now up, although it shouldn’t affect law-abiding motorists.
Transport manager Bryan Hudson said the council isn’t trying to stop legitimate drivers using rural roads.
“But if ‘boy racing’ behaviours such as racing, cruising, burnouts, donuts, and excessive speed and noise are reported, police can now enforce the ban.”
Hudson knows it won’t stop anti-social driving completely, but it’s an important tool.
The roads listed in the new register were identified as popular spots for late-night anti-social driving and were also practical in terms of enforcement.
Some of those roads include Gudex and Appleby Roads in Cambridge, in Te Awamutu it includes Bond Road Industrial area, Arapuni and Bulmers Landings area.
He said a ban is only viable for some types of roads.
“It wouldn’t work in streets with on-street parking, or on roads with multiple entry and exit points which is generally the case on residential streets, or State Highways where the council has no authority.
The ban prohibits motor vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tonne between 9pm-4am on those roads unless drivers can prove they have legitimate business.
Road safety campaigner Clive Matthew-Wilson said there’s no “magic solution” for the sometimes hostile behaviour that boy racer events bring to a community.
Recently Waikato police had an officer injured and vehicle damaged when more than 1000 people caused damage and disruption in Hamilton.
Detective Sergeant Matt Lee said over the course of several hours, people took part in illegal street racing before some began throwing projectiles, discharging fireworks and shining lasers at police.
An 18-year-old Ōtorohanga man was later charged with intentional damage causing danger to life, dangerous driving, and receiving stolen property after ramming a police vehicle.
Matthew-Wilson said there’s no easy fix . Impounding cars and fining drivers works for low risk offenders who are just young guys out to have some fun.
“The high-risk offenders don't give a damn; they probably already have multiple convictions and they're heroes if they get arrested.
“If you ticket these high-risk offenders they just add the ticket to the pile. If you disqualify them they often drive anyway. When they get out of prison they’ll be just as reckless and irresponsible the next time.'
Editor of car guide dogandlemon.com, Matthew-Wilson, believes police having a high presence with large groups of boy racers is “probably about right” as it’s a clear message there’ll be consequences.
“The police are already stretched to the limit and it takes a lot of police resources to deal with a crowd of loud and aggressive young males who can drive away at any time.'
AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen said they support policeon those who put people and property at risk with their behaviour on the roads.
“It is definitely concerning to see police having to deal with more instances of large groups gathering and causing problems in communities.
“We are pleased to see the authorities taking the issue seriously and looking to respond quickly to send a strong message to the people involved that their behaviour won’t be tolerated.”
Last week police minister Mark Mitchell said the Government would crack down boy racers with new legislation.
He wouldn’t elaborate on the details of the changes, but it would would mean tougher consequences, giving police more power to seize, retain and crush vehicles.
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