Angry dad sells car cheap after sons involved in boyracing

A Christchurch father said his sons' lives were worth more to him than his car. Photo / John McCombe

A furious Canterbury father has sold a car at a giveaway price, after it was used in larrikin fashion by boyracers.

Last month police investigated a driving incident in Christchurch, in which the car was reported speeding around a corner, almost on two wheels.

It was weaving all over the road, and a passenger in the rear had opened a door while it was moving, dragging his foot on the road, with half his body hanging out.

The occupants were all young males in their teens.

When the car registration details were followed up, the descriptions of those in the car did not fit the sons of the owner, Canterbury police said.

When confronted, the owner's sons would not own up to who had been using the car, so he sold the car cheap rather than continue to allow the boys access to it.

The man, who did not want to be named, said his sons' lives and others were more important than a car.

"He's done what few parents have done and taken away the avenue that could have led to disaster," Constable Caron Fletcher said.

"He has been commended and thanked for his attitude."

Superintendent Dave Cliff said it was rare for parents to be willing to make such a stand, at such a loss.

"We congratulate them. If more parents were to stand up and be counted in this way we would have far fewer of our young being needlessly killed and injured in road crashes."

- NZPA