Submissions on the "Boy Racer" Bills

Last Friday a Sub-committee of the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee was in Christchurch to hear submissions on the Land Transport (Enforcement Powers) Amendment Bill and the Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure Bill. Three main groups gave evidence - local Councils, residents groups and boy racers themselves.

The feeling about the need to take action to reduce the impact of illegal behaviour was very strong. Residents and business owners talked of intimidation, fear, damage, but above all, NOISE. The consistent theme was 'reduce the noise impact, reduce the problem'. There is no direct amendment regarding noise limits in the legislation, nor is there reference to alcohol controls (another issue raised by submitters) so the Committee will need to reflect carefully on these submissions. I also wonder if the noise problem is the cause or a symptom of deeper problems.

Some car owners submitted that their legitimate behaviour will be negatively affected by this legislation if passed. Perhaps, but maybe they would be better directing their energies towards helping the authorities stamp out the attrocious behaviour carried out by the perpetrators of illegal acts. A system of texting details of trouble spots to Police was suggested and might have merit. That would be ironic given that this appears to be the technology used to assist boy racers avoid the authorities!

Cross-party support for efforts to stamp out this problem is strong. The activities described are more than anti-social rebellion. It is intimidation and illiegal behaviour on an unacceptable scale and the Government will pick up any gauntlet thrown down by the crimimal cohort of the boy racer community.