Boy racers and council

The [Hamilton City] council’s boy racer bylaw is a Band-Aid not a solution.

[Instead council should] work with ‘‘car enthusiasts’’ to keep them out of the suburbs.

Set up an ‘‘event’’ at the intersection of Clow Place and Gallagher Drive (or similar location), running 9pm to midnight. Erect temporary gates so passing through the intersection requires a ticket, say $10 per person and $20 bond per car. The bond is refundable on exit before midnight, so encourages people to disperse.

The ticket pays for security guards to prevent vandalism and street sweepers to do a clean-up.

Passing through the intersection is ‘‘leaving’’ the event back onto a public road so there is no health and safety liability on the ‘‘event’’. The car clubs are free to do their own thing. They will do it anyway, regardless of the consequences.

Cars are checked at the gates for WOF and registration. Drivers are breathalysed on the way out. Clow Place is reserved for burnouts and donuts, with parking down Gallagher Drive. The intersection ‘‘event’’ has a St John’s station and detox area. The ‘‘car enthusiasts’’ may be annoying but we can improve safety.

Police are on standby but not actually present. Security can call on them if necessary, and at least the police know where the boy racers are!

A graffiti wall can be set up with prizes for the best art. It distracts taggers from other targets. A DJ could provide music at a controlled volume. Help the informal boy racer clubs get organised so a proper dialogue can be had and they can begin some self-regulation.

Andrew Bydder

Hamilton