No cars flattened by 'Crusher Collins'

Police Minister Judith Collins was dubbed 'Crusher Collins' after promising to crack down on boy racers by crushing their cars. So far, none have been destroyed. Photo / Mark Mitchell

No cars have been crushed under a controversial two-year-old a law promising a crackdown on boy racers.

Police Minister Judith Collins was dubbed 'Crusher Collins' when the Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure Bill was passed in October 2009.

It gave courts the power to send cars owned by people who committed three serious vehicle offences in four years to the crusher.

Estimates quoted by Ms Collins during a parliamentary debate on the law said there would be 10 cars crushed every year.

She told Radio New Zealand this morning no cars had yet been crushed - though 17 offenders were on their second 'strike'.

"If one of them wants to pop their hand up and get the stupid sticker and get their car crushed, we'll be happy to oblige."

Ms Collins said the lack of orders to crush cars showed the law was working as a deterrent for boy racers.

Vehicle offences had lowered by 15 per cent in its first year and police had seen a "massive" drop off in the number of complaints about boy racers, she said.

"There are still some who want to test the law and the police are happy to help them."

The Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure Bill was part of a suite of law and order bills passed by Government.

Other legislation allowed local authorities to make anti-cruising orders, which prevent "circling designated streets within defined periods of time".

Driving while affected by benzodiazepine, a prescription sedative and anti-anxiety medication that is often used as a sleeping pill, was also banned.