‘Disgusting game of dare’
Some Southland youth are playing a ‘‘game of russian roulette’’ on the region’s roads which is putting the lives of the public at risk, Southland District Mayor Gary Tong says.
‘‘I have heard, and it’s pretty good information, that a number of young people are playing a dare game speeding through give way and stop signs.’’
Tong, who approached The Southland Times with his concerns, said it was an ugly and disgusting game which threatened the lives of the public.
‘‘I think it’s absolutely bloody ridiculous and they need to grow up and realise the implications of making a mistake.’’
Consequences of the game could include serious injury, death and ruining people’s lives, Tong said.
‘‘It’s not a boy racer thing, it’s a game of russian roulette with a vehicle and people’s lives.’’
He understood the driver took a passenger on the trips as ‘‘proof’’ of how many intersections they had sped through.
‘‘The more they do, the more a hero they are, so it’s a hero to zero sort of game.
‘‘It’s definitely happening, there’s no two ways about it,’’ Tong said.
He did not know if it was happening elsewhere in the country.
Southland road policing manager Jon Bisset said he was unaware of the practice but would contact Tong and find out where his information had come from. ‘‘It’s something we will take seriously and definitely look into if we come across it.’’
Any such behaviour would be reckless and dangerous.
‘‘It’s definitely something we will follow up.’’