Invercargill boy racers are leading the race to get their cars crushed, it has been revealed
Figures released to the Otago Daily Times show of the 86 people nationwide who have two previous convictions under new boy-racer legislation, 14 are from Otago and Southland.
Seven of those appeared in the Invercargill District Court. Two apiece appeared in the Balclutha and Gore courts.
Authorities can seize and destroy a vehicle if a driver commits street-racing offences three times.
Earlier this week, Karn Clarrie Forrest, of Milton, received his third conviction for driving with sustained loss of traction after being caught by police doing burnouts on State Highway 1, north of Milton, on September 29.
The 18-year-old, who appeared in the Balclutha District Court, sitting in Gore, will now have his Toyota Corolla DX confiscated and crushed.
The Otago Daily Times understands the order to destroy the car was made on Monday, and arrangements have been made to tow the car to a secure yard in Dunedin. Because of the Christmas break, the 28-day appeal process will expire next month, and if the appeal against the action is unsuccessful, the car is likely to be crushed.
In 2009, three Invercargill teenagers died after a high-speed smash in the inner city.
Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt said after that accident "countless meetings" were held between boy racers, police and city representatives in an effort to solve the problem.
The high number of people appearing in the Invercargill District Court who had two previous convictions was likely due to tougher enforcement in the area, he said.
"We were looking at all options ... but it seems to be not such the problem that it was a few years ago."
Southern District road policing manager Senior Sergeant Steve Larking said police regularly dealt with boy racers, and ran campaigns specifically targeting them.
Illegal street racers feature in fatal and serious crashes and represent a significant risk to other road users.
Convictions, locations
The 14 people in Southland and Otago who have two convictions in relation to street-racing offences appeared in court in the following locations:
• Invercargill (7)
• Gore (2)
• Balclutha (2)
• Dunedin (1)
• Queenstown (1)
• Alexandra (1)
SOURCE: NZ POLICE
