Minister cool on call to sell hoons' cars

Judith Collins says boy racers are the only ones who would buy the confiscated vehicles, so selling them would recycle the problem. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Boy racer cars confiscated under the proposed legislation targeting recidivist hoons should be sold, rather than being crushed, says the Motor Trade Association.

But Police Minister Judith Collins says this is unlikely and public support for severe punishments for the worst offenders is overwhelming.

The transport and industrial relations select committee has received more than 110 submissions on the Land Transport (Enforcement Powers) Amendment Bill and nearly 50 on the Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure Bill.

A spokesman said the submissions "weighed heavily in favour in support" of both bills which would give police, courts and local authorities greater powers to tackle street racing - including the option to crush cars belonging to the worst offenders.

But MTA spokesman Andy Cumming said confiscating and destroying boy racers' cars would provide no protection for innocent parties holding securities over the vehicles.

In its submission to the select committee, the MTA supported cars being sold after confiscation.

"As far as the offending owner/drivers are concerned the same end result is achieved - they lose their vehicles," he said.

"If a vehicle were sold instead of crushed, it would in most cases realise value that would contribute to recovery of towage and impounding costs, selling costs, recovery of security interests, and payment of any traffic offence fines."

Ms Collins, nicknamed "Crusher" when she suggested crushing cars in February, said there were mechanisms to have the cars sold by the courts.

"But what has happened for cars that can be sold is the only people who buy them are other boy racers so you are basically recycling the problem."

She doubted whether innocent parties would be affected under the new legislation.

The registered owners and finance companies with interest in vehicles would each receive two warning notices before action was taken.