March 18, 2002

A private member’s bill to combat illegal street racing is to get the support of the Auckland City Council.

The MP for Waimakariri, Clayton Cosgrove, addressed the council’s law and order committee last week to explain his Land Transport (Street and Illegal Drag Racing) Amendment Bill and to ask for the council’s backing.

The bill, he said, had been inspired by New South Wales legislation and would give police the power to impound, at the roadside, vehicles driven by illegal street racers.

The drivers are those: who are disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence whose driver’s licence is suspended or revoked, or who have been forbidden to drive because the person was an unlicensed driver or his or her driver’s licence had expired.

Auckland Police District Commander, Superintendent Howard Broad welcomed the bill, saying it would give the police additional powers which would make it easier to prosecute illegal street racers.

The chairperson of the Law and Order committee, Noelene Raffills, said the bill deserved support and she would make a submission on it.

The committee’s recommendations – which include making submissions to Auckland MPs and to parliament in order to get the bill to the select committee stage – will be put to the council’s strategy and governance committee on April 10 for endorsement and further action.

Mayor John Banks will also be asked to recommend that the Auckland Mayoral Forum endorses the bill.

ENDS

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