Boy racers dumping diesel on rural Hawke's Bay roads for burnouts and drift racing have sparked concerns that "someone is going to be seriously hurt or killed".
By Linda Hall, Local Democracy Reporter
Central Hawke's Bay deputy mayor Jerry Greer urged witnesses to call 111, saying the behaviour from boy racers was potentially life-threatening and those responsible needed to take a good look at what they were doing.
“They need to think about the safety of the community and themselves,” Greer said.
“If they don’t stop pouring diesel on the roads in the same spots, it will also cost ratepayers thousands of dollars to repair.”
Greer said the community was worried about groups of boy racers convening in rural locations on Pōrangahau Rd, as well as around Takapau.
“We’ve had groups from five or six up to a group of about 40 out on rural roads, doing burnouts, skids and racing."
The council had enough work to do without cleaning up after boy racers, he said.
Greer, along with Mayor Will Foley, Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick and members of the community, met with police recently to discuss their concerns.
Sergeant Neil Baker said antisocial road user behaviour was an issue that had increased as social media became more widespread.
Baker, officer in charge of Central Hawke’s Bay Police, said police had seen online content showing people filming, posting videos of, and encouraging the behaviour.
“It’s extremely concerning, and we fear that someone is going to be seriously hurt or killed.”
He said the incidents were not all being reported and urged the public to call 111.
Baker said that in the past six months, police had received only 11 reports of antisocial road-user behaviour, yet 28 vehicles had been impounded as a result of police enforcement activity.
Greer said he understood why some people didn’t report it.
“There might be a fear of retribution or some people just don’t like to pot others.”
But he said there were members of the community getting angry about it.
“We need to avoid anyone taking the law into their own hands. We have an understanding and proactive police team in Central Hawke’s Bay.
“We had a good discussion with them, and I’m urging our community to do all they can to help them curb this issue.”
He said it wasn’t only roads that were getting damaged.
“They go through fences on private property and leave rubbish everywhere.”
He said while he believed some of the drivers were locals, others came from as far away as Manawatū in the south and Napier in the north, and it was happening at least once a week.
Baker said Central Hawke’s Bay had police on staff 24/7 and would follow up all calls.
“Any descriptions we get are extremely valuable – colour and make of cars, driver descriptions – we can add that to other evidence we are collating.”
Once drivers are caught, police can impose infringements, suspend licences, make arrests, order cars off the road and impound cars.
Baker also said he was concerned about the district’s road toll.
“We have had eight deaths on our roads in the last 15 months. Six of these involved local families, and four were on SH2 between Takapau and Waipukurau.
“Police have a big focus around keeping people safe on our roads. Drivers need to keep to the speed limits, wear their seatbelts and not use their phones while driving.”
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Donald Trump's claimed breakthrough with Iran, Britain's move to ban social media for under-16s, and a dream FIFA World Cup debut for Cabo Verde. (Source: Breakfast)
SHARE ME