EDITOR: Tough approach to boy racers one to watch

In this computer world in which we all now have to exist, I receive plenty of emails in any day or week.
Of course, there is plenty of junk that barely sees the light of day but there are also some real gems sent in by readers.
One of my golfing comrades often sends me jokes, comments, opinions and the odd story from around the world. While I would never admit it to him, his stuff is usually pretty good.
One fascinating story he sent me last week was an item that appeared in a Canadian newspaper about boy racers.
We all know that boy racers are a problem that police and councils around the country have been wrestling with for some time.
The Canadians seem to have taken a hard-nosed approach to these young trouble-makers.
In a matter of a couple of days this month police seized the cars and licences of nearly 50 people under a new Safer Roads for a Safer Ontario Act.
The accused drivers will now pay the cost of towing and storing their vehicles for seven days as well as fines of $C2000 to $C10,000 ($2600-$13,300). They could also face jail time.
The new law allows:
* Police to issue an immediate seven-day driver's licence suspension and impound a vehicle for seven days for travelling 50kmh or more over the posted speed limit
* Courts to suspend a driver's licence for up to 10 years for a second conviction within 10 years of the first.
These guys are serious.
Police chief Bill Grodzinski said police are trying to make aggressive driving socially unacceptable.
"We want to demonise aggressive drivers and the reason is very simple - they're killing and maiming people on our highways and that's got to stop."
It will be interesting to see if this tough action has the desired effect because it is quite clear the people of this city are fed up with the behaviour of boy racers.
* * *
I was fortunate to sneak away for a week's leave during the school holidays.
I am also fortunate that my children enjoy having me around during the holidays and spending time with me.
Although my family and I did not do too much, it was delightful spending time with my children.
My two girls had a rather busy time performing in a Irish dance show at Baycourt, leaving me at home to look after a few household chores and do a few things with my son.
I must do more stuffing about at home with the kids next holidays. It's fun.
* * * *
I must be one of the few people in this country who was grateful that the All Blacks staggered in last weekend's World Cup quarter-final.
My reason - self-preservation.
As an Australian living in New Zealand I was destined to be the most popular person in the Bay of Plenty Times newsroom following the Wallabies' pathetic loss to the Dads Army English team.
I could just picture the gloating faces, the never-ending smiles, the ongoing jokes at my expense.
But my agony was short-lived.
By 10am and the end of the All Black game, I knew nobody would be bothering me.
This country's rugby heroes had performed even worse than my boys, both countries were in mourning and my Monday was to be the same as any other.
* * * *
Isn't travelling down Hewletts Road an absolute delight these days?
I knew the work was soon going to be finished but it was still a surprise to find one Saturday morning that I could glide off the bridge, past the fertiliser works and on up Hewletts Road with barely a hitch.
It certainly gives you a taste of what things will be like when we get the extra lanes on the Harbour Bridge.