KEY POINTS:
Christchurch has made an urgent plea to the Government for help in combating boy racers "terrorising our community", after admitting it cannot beat the problem alone.
But the Government says it is already looking at what it can do to tackle the boy racer plague, which is shared
by other cities and towns around New Zealand.
Christchurch's boy racer problem was recently featured on a documentary screened in Germany, to the embarrassment of city officials.
Mayor Bob Parker said his city council had already used the limited powers it had available to try to stamp out the "destructive, noisy and anti-social behaviour exhibited by boy racers. However council and the Christchurch community is at the end of its tether", Mr Parker said. "The ball is now in the court of central Government to introduce legislation to curb the problem of young hoons terrorising our community.
"Our police are doing an outstanding job, but it's time for Government to create a playing field that favours the rights of decent, law-abiding Kiwis."
Mr Parker called for the Government to urgently consider legislation which included:
- Using demerit points for offences including unpaid fines, speeding, noisy vehicles and false or obscured registration plates.
- Driver licences suspended for unpaid fines.
- Police being able to ticket immediately without having to give warnings at unruly gatherings.
- Third party insurance for vehicles.
- Increasing the age at which young people qualify for a driver's licence.
- Lowering the allowable level of blood alcohol for drivers.
"Introducing these measures would curb the totally unacceptable behaviour of the young hoons in our community who, for too long, have run roughshod over the rights of ordinary Christchurch people," Mr Parker said.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce said he had been working closely with Christchurch-based MP Nicky Wagner on the issue.
"We are supportive of Mr Parker's bid to curb this behaviour. Some of the issues Mr Parker has raised will be included in a broader review of road safety which will be carried out by the Ministry of Transport this year.
"The review will look at the major risks on our roads and will consider ways that these could be addressed."
A discussion document would be released for public consultation later in the year.
