Residents’ plea to stop ‘boy racers’
BATLEY residents have shared their fury after a number of crashes and collisions involving ‘boy racers’.
On Saturday, a parked car was damaged after a vehicle – thought to be speeding – smashed into the back of it in White Lee Road.
At around 11.45pm a resident, who wishes to remain unnamed, went out to her car to find glass debris on the road, the vehicle scratched, and the back headlight missing.
“This is nothing compared to the life that has been lost on the road,” she said.
She and boyfriend Elliot also witnessed one of their elderly neighbours ‘knocked down and killed’ last year.
The owner of the damaged car said: “Just another day in Batley. What more will happen on these roads without anything being done for reckless, stupid, incompetent drivers. I have had enough now.
“I have no back headlight and a massive dent and scratches on my car and glass scattered across the road which we have tried out best to pick up.
“I am so angry. To get woken up by another bang just triggers all sorts of emotions.”
Elliot added: “The back corner of the car is knackered, not even thought of stopping.”
And the couple is not alone in their experience with ‘boy racers’ in Batley.
A ‘significant amount’ of dangerous driving incidents have been reported to Batley and Spen MP Kim Leadbeater recently.
A number of residents have been outspoken online, demanding more speed cameras should be put up in residential areas.
The MP has reported that her inbox is full with complaints about road safety issues across Kirklees, and brands the drivers ‘absolute idiots’. Despite her agreement with the residents in her constituency, Ms Leadbeater has confessed she cannot solve the issues alone.
In a statement on social media, she said: “I can’t build up speed bumps or put speed cameras up, and nor can I stop absolute idiots from showing no respect or concern for their fellow citizens by driving recklessly and irresponsibly.”
She added: “So far I have convened meeting with the council, police, school leaders, constituents, and the crime commissioner to take a multi-agency approach to tackling the problem.
“I have met people who have lost loved ones in road traffic incidents and victims who have survived them, and I have raised the issue to Parliament where I will be submitting my petition to call for better resources for road safety in Batley and Spen.”