Govt to introduce boy racer car crushing bill

Photo / Wairarapa Times Age

Police Minister Judith Collins says boy racers should fear legislation being introduced to Parliament today because "every new offence will bring them closer to the crusher".

The legislation will also allow by-laws to be passed that prevent vehicles "cruising" city streets, and demerit points to go on driver's licences for boy-racer offences.

The two bills will provide a range greater powers to tackle illegal street racers and crush their vehicles as a last resort.

Ms Collins - who has earned the nickname "Crusher" since first proposing the measure - said the Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure Bill aimed to take the worst illegal street racers off the road by taking cars away permanently.

"The Government and the public have lost patience with drivers who use their vehicles in an anti-social manner," she said.

"Crushing cars would be a last resort for only the most serious of repeat offenders."

Transport Minister Steven Joyce will introduce the Enforcement Powers Bill which will allow the anti-cruising bylaws to be passed and the impoundment of cars involved in illegal street racing.

"As well as threatening public safety, illegal street racers cause excessive noise, disruption and intimidation," Mr Joyce said.

"Much of this activity is already illegal, The Enforcement Powers Bill is about ensuring the penalties for this anti-social behaviour are a strong deterrent to repeat offending."

Prime Minister John Key said the boy-racer attack on a Christchurch police officer earlier in the year "was the straw that broke the camel's back".