Street racing ban in bid to stop further fatalities
Car cruisers caught breaching order face up to 2 years in jail
ACAR cruising and street racing ban has been granted for Birmingham and all four Black Country boroughs after a successful application to the High Court in London.
The ban, under an interim injunction, was supported by Wet Midlands Police and is now in force.
It prevents drivers, riders or passengers participating in a street cruise, with two or more people, who take part in motor racing or stunts or other dangerous of obstructive driving, anywhere in Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Anyone breaching it can be arrested immediately, and could face up to two years in prison, a fine, or have their assets seized.
The move was welcomed by Cllr John Cotton, cabinet member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities at Birmingham City Council.
He said: “Street cruising is dangerous as well as being a nuisance for law-abiding citizens. By working with our partners at the police on applying for this injunction, we have shown we understand and share the continued concerns raised by many residents, about this anti-social and lifethreatening behaviour.
“Past court action shows that we won’t hesitate to ensure justice is served upon offenders, who have no excuse for their actions. There are plenty of lawful ways to exhibit and demonstrate their vehicles - but our roads are not the place for it.”
Dangers were highlighted recently when two teenager – Liberty Charris and Ben Corfield – were killed when a car was in collision with a group of pedestrians in Oldbury.
Cllr Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “Street racing, also sometimes described as car cruising, is noisy, dangerous and illegal and some events have resulted in serious injuries and even death, as we have sadly seen recently in Sandwell.
“After announcing our intention to seek a new injunction earlier this year, we were inundated with comments from residents and businesses whose lives are still being blighted by street racing, with evidence of dangerous driving, excessive noise, littering and people and vehicles obstructing highways and properties.
“These helped us to build what the High Court has recognised to be an overwhelming case.”