Banks calls Govt's boy-racer measures 'draconian'

John Banks says he has no issue with boy-racers who behave themselves. Photo / Greg Bowker

The Government says its "anti-cruising" measure will clear boy-racers off designated streets - but Auckland City mayor John Banks compares the plans to the "draconian" ban on gang patches in Wanganui.

Outlining the Government's wide-ranging crackdown yesterday, Prime Minister John Key said it would stop boy-racers "circling the same streets again and again".

The proposed law will allow local authorities to make bylaws preventing people "cruising" down certain streets.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce said cruising was defined as "repeatedly driving over the same section of road in a motor vehicle that draws attention to the sound of its engine or creates a convoy that impedes traffic flow".

This meant cruising would not capture those "just looking for a carpark".

But Mr Banks last night said he would not be rushing to introduce an anti-cruising ban on Queen St.

"I'm the Mayor for all of the people that live in this city. We promote good behaviour and boy-racers that behave themselves are not an issue. There are bigger problems in the CBD Auckland today than boy-racers."

Mr Key said the crackdown came after the public and Government ran out of patience with boy-racers and aimed to "make life more difficult for people who chose to use their cars to threaten public safety, cause excessive noise and disruption and intimidate".

The "straw that broke the camel's back" was the attack on Sergeant Nigel Armstrong, who was shot at with an air rifle and surrounded by boy-racers in Christchurch in January.

The legislation was introduced to Parliament yesterday as the Government tries to seize back the political agenda after a dire two weeks. A Roy Morgan poll out this week showed National support at 52 per cent (down 3 per cent) and Labour 31.5 per cent (up 1 per cent).

Police Minister Judith Collins introduced the "seize and destroy" measures that have earned her the nickname "Crusher".

"The message to those who want to indulge in illegal street racing is that every new offence will now bring them closer to the crusher," she said.

The crushing measure will work on a "three strikes and you're crushed basis", with boy-racers needing to commit three illegal street racing offences - either racing or "sustained loss of traction" - in a four-year period.

The Government aims to pass the measures by December 1.

* Cracking down

Cruising ban: Local authorities can introduce bylaws to prevent the circling of certain streets.

Crushing: Car crushed after three illegal street racing offences.

Demerits: For noise offences and driver's licence breaches.

Ordered off road: For noisy exhausts to be tested.

Impounded: On the second offence within a 90-day period.