Explainer: How new Antisocial Road Use Legislation brings back car crushing
New Zealand has passed the Antisocial Road Use Legislation Amendment Bill, which introduces stricter penalties for illegal street racing and reckless driving. The law notably reinstates the power for police and courts to confiscate and destroy the vehicles of repeat offenders.
Why it matters
The legislation reflects a government effort to address public safety concerns regarding illegal street activities in both urban and rural communities.
*Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly referred to the Law Society instead of the Law Association.
Explainer - National is hyping it as the return of car crushing. But what do tough new antisocial road user laws mean?
The Antisocial Road Use Legislation Amendment Bill passed its third reading earlier this month, and gives police and courts more powers.
"Communities across New Zealand have been forced to put up with illegal street racing, burnouts, fleeing drivers, intimidating convoys, disorderly dirt bike gatherings and siren battles for far too long," Transport Minister Chris Bishop said in announcing the bill's passage.
"This law sends a very clear message: if you use our roads to intimidate or endanger communities, there will be serious consequences."
Waikato District Council mayor Aksel Bech told RNZ's The Panel that the problem is epidemic in rural communities.
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