Latest news with #ReganJames
RNZ News
4 days ago
- RNZ News
Boy racer crackdown reveals concerning number of cars that aren't road worthy
Police set up checkpoints at known meeting points across Tāmaki Makaurau on Saturday night. Photo: Supplied / Police Police say a crackdown on boy racers in Auckland has revealed a concerning number of cars aren't fit to be driven. The operation targeting the so-called 'Auckland invasion' street racing event resulted in dozens of fines, impounded vehicles, and thousands of drivers breath-tested on Saturday night, police said. Acting Counties Manukau District Commander, Acting Superintendent Alison Brand told Morning Report police were backed by the Eagle helicopter and used tips from the public and social media to target drivers in convoy across the city. She said 40 cars were taken off the road by inspectors stationed at checkpoints. "That's quite concerning when you think we had approximately 200 cars at this meet and 20 percent of these vehicles were not up to road worthy driving standard - they were either unsafe or defective." Brand said police were now trawling CCTV footage and social media to track down more drivers at the meet. More than 2500 drivers were breath-tested, with at least 15 found to be over the limit, and five vehicles were impounded. Inspector Regan James said despite the size of the convoy and dangerous driving behaviour and burnouts, there was little disruption to the wider public. He said officers were reviewing footage and other evidence to identify additional offenders. The crackdown comes ahead of proposed new legislation that would see tougher penalties for street racers and fleeing drivers. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
1News
4 days ago
- 1News
Fines issued, vehicles impounded after Auckland boy racer 'invasion'
Hundreds of anti-social car users were pursued across Auckland by law enforcement last night, with police issuing numerous fines and ordering multiple vehicles off the road on Saturday night. Dubbed the "Auckland invasion" by boy racers, the event attracted drivers from Northland and Hamilton to the supercity. 1News spent several hours following the group to locations across Auckland, including Manukau, Onehunga, Westgate, Penrose, and Drury. Police staff, including the Eagle helicopter, were deployed to each spot and at Westgate, attendees were seen letting off fireworks at an intersection. Police said more than 2500 breath tests were taken at checkpoints set up, with more than 15 drivers recording excess breath alcohol. ADVERTISEMENT A further 70 infringements were issued, 71 vehicles were sent for inspection, 33 green and six pink stickers were issued, and five vehicles were impounded. Inspector Regan James said despite the large number of road users present there was no significant disruption to the public. "Dozens of police units worked hard to disrupt the approximately 200 vehicles participating in the event. We saw some illegal behaviour, including performing burnouts and other driving offences, but our staff did well to monitor and disrupt the group's plans." He said police intervention was "strong and quick from the jump". "We were able to break up convoys and monitor behaviour effectively. We are all too familiar with the havoc this behaviour wreaks in our communities and have been very clear – we have no tolerance for it, I think that was made very clear by our response this weekend." Boy racers do skids at Mangatāwhiri. (Source: 1News) Drivers 1News spoke to said they felt the Government had not provided them with legal ways to "express their hobby". ADVERTISEMENT "Maybe if the Government provide us with some legal skid pad, then we could just go there and do them legally," one driver said. "It's a fun hobby, but it's not worth it at the moment," another said. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said at a media conference this morning that boy racers' "days are coming to an end". "You've actually got to be a safe driver. You can't just end up causing inconvenience and pain and suffering for your fellow Kiwi citizens." He said the Government had legislation before the House soon that aimed to crackdown on antisocial road use. "We've got some pretty tough penalties coming that way around your cars." A lower threshold for vehicle destruction is on the cards for boy racers, as well as expanded road closure powers for police and increased fines for excessive noise. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT The Government announced a suite of stronger measures in May, including a lower threshold for vehicle destruction and increased police powers. A presumptive sentence of vehicle destruction or forfeiture would be enacted for those who flee police, street racers, intimidating convoys and owners who fail to identify offending drivers. This would ensure courts order the vehicle destroyed or forfeited unless it would be "manifestly unjust, or cause extreme hardship to the offender or undue hardship to any other person". The existing road closure power for police would also be expanded to include all public and private areas accessible to the public by vehicle. An offence for failing to comply with a direction to leave or not enter a closed area would be established, with an associated penalty of a $1000 fine. The infringement fee for making excessive noise from or within a vehicle would also rise from $50 to $300.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Auckland street racer clampdown: dozens fined, cars impounded
Police set up checkpoints at known meeting points across Tāmaki Makaurau on Saturday night. Photo: supplied/Police Police issued dozens of fines, impounded vehicles, and breath-tested thousands of drivers during a large "antisocial road user event" in Auckland on Saturday night. The coordinated crackdown - backed by the Eagle helicopter - targeted an estimated 200 vehicles involved in the illegal gathering, police said. Officers fanned out across known meeting points across Tāmaki Makaurau, setting up checkpoints and making their presence felt early in the night. More than 2500 drivers were stopped and tested for alcohol. Over 15 returned excess breath alcohol readings, while a further 70 infringements were issued for various offences. Police also ordered 71 vehicles to undergo mechanical inspections, dishing out 33 green stickers for minor defects and six pink stickers for serious safety issues. Five vehicles were impounded. Despite the size of the convoy, police said the group caused little disruption to the wider public. "Dozens of police units worked hard to disrupt the event," said Inspector Regan James. "We saw some illegal behaviour - burnouts and other dangerous driving - but staff did well to stay on top of it and break up the convoys." The operation now shifts into an investigation phase, with officers reviewing footage and other evidence to identify additional offenders. "We'll be taking strong enforcement action wherever possible," James said. "We've been very clear - there's zero tolerance for this kind of reckless behaviour on our roads." Police are encouraging the public to report antisocial driving. If it's happening in real-time, call 111. Reports can also be lodged via the non-emergency 105 line or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Dozens fined, cars impounded in street racer clampdown
Police set up checkpoints at known meeting points across Tāmaki Makaurau on Saturday night. Photo: supplied/Police Police issued dozens of fines, impounded vehicles, and breath-tested thousands of drivers during a large "antisocial road user event" in Auckland on Saturday night. The coordinated crackdown - backed by the Eagle helicopter - targeted an estimated 200 vehicles involved in the illegal gathering, police said. Officers fanned out across known meeting points across Tāmaki Makaurau, setting up checkpoints and making their presence felt early in the night. More than 2500 drivers were stopped and tested for alcohol. Over 15 returned excess breath alcohol readings, while a further 70 infringements were issued for various offences. Police also ordered 71 vehicles to undergo mechanical inspections, dishing out 33 green stickers for minor defects and six pink stickers for serious safety issues. Five vehicles were impounded. Despite the size of the convoy, police said the group caused little disruption to the wider public. "Dozens of police units worked hard to disrupt the event," said Inspector Regan James. "We saw some illegal behaviour - burnouts and other dangerous driving - but staff did well to stay on top of it and break up the convoys." The operation now shifts into an investigation phase, with officers reviewing footage and other evidence to identify additional offenders. "We'll be taking strong enforcement action wherever possible," James said. "We've been very clear - there's zero tolerance for this kind of reckless behaviour on our roads." Police are encouraging the public to report antisocial driving. If it's happening in real-time, call 111. Reports can also be lodged via the non-emergency 105 line or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- RNZ News
Auckland street racer clampdown: Dozens fined, cars impounded
Police set up checkpoints at known meeting points across Tāmaki Makaurau on Saturday night. Photo: Supplied / Police Police issued dozens of fines, impounded vehicles, and breath-tested thousands of drivers during a large "antisocial road user event" in Auckland on Saturday night. The coordinated crackdown - backed by the Eagle helicopter - targeted an estimated 200 vehicles involved in the illegal gathering, police said. Officers fanned out across known meeting points across Tāmaki Makaurau, setting up checkpoints and making their presence felt early in the night. More than 2500 drivers were stopped and tested for alcohol. Over 15 returned excess breath alcohol readings, while a further 70 infringements were issued for various offences. Police also ordered 71 vehicles to undergo mechanical inspections, dishing out 33 green stickers for minor defects and six pink stickers for serious safety issues. Five vehicles were impounded. Despite the size of the convoy, police said the group caused little disruption to the wider public. "Dozens of police units worked hard to disrupt the event," said Inspector Regan James. "We saw some illegal behaviour - burnouts and other dangerous driving - but staff did well to stay on top of it and break up the convoys." The operation now shifts into an investigation phase, with officers reviewing footage and other evidence to identify additional offenders. "We'll be taking strong enforcement action wherever possible," James said. "We've been very clear - there's zero tolerance for this kind of reckless behaviour on our roads." Police are encouraging the public to report antisocial driving. If it's happening in real-time, call 111. Reports can also be lodged via the non-emergency 105 line or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
