Boyracers perspective

from Mayor of Christchurch Bob Parker.

For too long boyracers have run roughshod over the rights of ordinary Christchurch people.

The outrageous behaviour shown by hoons drawn to Christchurch for a car event at the weekend was absolutely appalling. Our streets were over-run on Saturday night with boy racers hell-bent on causing chaos, damaging property and putting public safety at risk. This lawlessness is not acceptable.

Standing on the balcony of my central city apartment on Saturday night, the noise and chaos created by these boy racers made our city sound more like a war zone than a wonderful place to live.

The Government has moved to increase penalties against the drivers of noisy vehicles, but the measures do not go far enough. We must ensure tough legislation is in place to allow police to combat this lawlessness.

Last week, after being approached by Christchurch Police, I once again invoked executive powers to target the unruly antics of boy racers. The restrictions helped curb the level of property damage and public safety problems in areas previously plagued during this sort of event. However, the chaos caused by these irresponsible drivers in other parts of the city was shocking.

The Local Government Act 1974 Section 10 Clause 11 allows the Mayor at the request of Police and the Ministry of Transport to ban hoons from our roads where police have advised that there is a current or anticipated problem concerning public disorder. I have used these powers in the past and will continue to do so, in association with the Police, whenever they are needed.

The restrictions were successful in that they kept boy racers away from the retail and hospitality areas of The Strip, where smashed windows and public safety issues were avoided, and from Moorhouse Avenue, where business owners have previously suffered huge damage to property. In future, the ban can be extended to cover other areas of the city.

As a Council, there is only so much we can do – our powers are not limitless. Central Government must come up with legislation to solve the problem.

Just before Christmas, the Government introduced a package of road safety initiatives, including changes to the demerit scheme. How about considering compulsory third-party insurance for all drivers? This will strike directly at young drivers with modified cars. Demerit points are more effective than fines, and impounding cars after owners fail to comply with infringement notices could also help.

I agree with the Government decision to increase demerit points issued for noisy vehicles, but believe they must be stronger. A blanket 90 db limit must be introduced for all cars, not just those registered after 1 June this year. I also advocate demerit points be introduced for those with false or obscured registration plates. As well, Police need to be able to ticket offenders immediately at venues where there are unruly gatherings without having to first issue a warning. I also believe that drivers’ licenses should be suspended for unpaid fines and the driving age needs to be increased.

The rampant lawlessness visible at the weekend is a huge concern that must, in the most part, be dealt with by police. However, the deafening noise created by boy racers who terrorise law-abiding citizens with their behaviour can be targeted by the authorities and now is the time to act.