Mayor to present submission on illegal street racing to select committee

Manukau mayor Sir Barry Curtis is to appear before a parliamentary select committee in support of Manukau City Council’s submission on the proposed “boy racer” legislation which is now before parliament.

He will speak to the Law and Order Select Committee in Wellington on Wednesday October 9. The committee is now considering the Land Transport (Street and Illegal Drag Racing) Amendment Bill 2002.

Manukau City Council strongly supports the legislation which it believes will be an effective way of controlling what has become an endemic problem in Manukau, as elsewhere in New Zealand.

The effects of these late night gatherings include dangerous driving, crime including arson, graffiti, smashed windows and other property, damage to roads, horrific noise levels in otherwise quiet neighbourhoods, abuse of residents and sleep disturbance.

The Council is also working with Police on the issue and has also passed bylaws to make certain streets off-limits at certain times. However these measures have not solved the problem. The gatherings have simply moved from industrial streets to residential streets such as Te Irirangi Drive where gatherings of up to 2000 people occur weekly in the early hours of the morning.

The Police lack the resources and staff to stamp out the problem. The Council believes the proposed new law will be very effective in controlling the drivers involved. In Australia similar legislation has succeeded in curbing the problem, as the fear of losing an expensive vehicle has proved a powerful incentive.

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