Boy racer seizures top 2000

More than 2000 "boy racer" vehicles have been impounded since laws to tackle illegal street racing were introduced a year ago.

Police are delighted with the laws, which they say have allowed them to reclaim the streets for other motorists, residents and business owners.

Police figures show 2309 people have been charged under the Land Transport (Street and Drag Racing) Amendment Act, which became law in May last year to curb dangerous driving.

In almost all cases, vehicles have been impounded.

Counties-Manukau police, who had a serious problem with street racing before last May, have been the busiest, racking up 328 impoundings so far.

They are followed by Waikato, with 259, Bay of Plenty, 256, and the Southern police district, 251. Wellington police have locked up 171 vehicles.

Under the law, police can impound vehicles for 28 days and the court can permanently confiscate a vehicle used in a second offence.

The law applies to motorists who use their vehicle to race, do "doughnuts", or speed unnecessarily.

It costs about $500 to retrieve a vehicle from the tow yard.

Motorists face court fines of up to $4500 or an instant fine of $600 for intentionally pouring fuel or any other substance likely to cause vehicles to lose traction on a road.

Penalties of up to three months' imprisonment and a mandatory six-month minimum disqualification may also be imposed.


- NZPA