Police consider legalised street races to deal with boyracers

Police are looking at any options in dealing with boy racers, including supporting legal street races.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor said police weren't opposed to suggestions of holding legal street races in an effort to stem problems from young drivers.

"If it works, it's worth a try. Never say never," he told NZPA.

Municipal leaders in the Polish city of Lodz have effectively dealt with the problem of illegal street racing by organising legal races on the city's main avenue.

The 780,000-person city is now called the "street racing capital of Poland", Police Association magazine Police News reported.

Lodz police found illegal racing reduced by 80 to 90 per cent following the launch of a monthly, legal, street race night.

The country, experiencing a period of economic prosperity, a stronger national currency and declining unemployment, had likewise had a surge in car ownership - with many new drivers.

However, in New Zealand, many of the problem drivers weren't overly interested in racing, but in driving around built up areas - where they could be heard by other members of the public.

"It's not the racing, it's the behaviour. Most of the issues come from plain bad manners . In this case, it's just that there is a car involved," Mr O'Connor said.

And any street races held in New Zealand would first have to meet strict Labour Department safety and health requirements first.

Driving fast in build-up areas was risky and could easily lead to people getting hurt.

"There will be accidents. There will be deaths. That's why you see such strict rules around formal racing," Mr O'Connor said.

"It may well be, with the economy (in recession), we see a decrease in the number of these cars on the roads anyway."

- NZPA