Leeds City Council has launched plans to fine nuisance drivers £100 across the whole city for 'anti-social behaviour'.
A consultation is in place for the proposed public space protection order (PSPO), giving members of the public an opportunity to share their thoughts. The PSPO has been designed to give West Yorkshire Police more powers to crackdown on the drivers.
Car cruising, where drivers meet up to race their vehicles, has come under fire from the council, who aim to stop these types of events which can lead to obstructing highways, dangerous driving and excessive noise.
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Leeds residents took to social media to voice their support after the consultation was shared to public Facebook group 'Temple Newsam, Halton, Colton, Whitkirk and surrounding areas'.
Jude Rivers said: "I support this wholeheartedly. Since the recent death of the young boy on his motorbike in Temple Newsam, I had hoped for change.
"However, other boys/young men continue to ride their (often stolen) motorbikes dangerously and without helmets, putting themselves and the public at risk."
Emma Valentine said: "I live in Seacroft and its only a matter of time before an innocent bystander is killed. It baffles me when I pick my kids up from school they all appear no regard for primary school children's safety."
Laura Lee said: "I was at Temple Newsam today and there was a car driving very fast on one of the grassed areas next to the woods. The driver kept going round in circles getting faster and more erratic.
"I was genuinely afraid as they were driving at speed towards me, my husband and our daughter. I have a disability and can’t run and my mobility isn’t great. It was really frightening to be honest."
Prohibitions in the PSPO include the following:
- Sounding horns or playing loud music so as to cause a nuisance.
- Revving engines so as to cause a nuisance.
- Causing danger to other road users (including pedestrians).
- Causing damage or risk of damage to private property.
- Speeding or racing.
- Performing stunts (including but not limited to performing doughnuts, skidding, handbrake turns, wheel spinning).
- Being verbally abusive, swearing and intimidating to members of the public.
- Causing obstruction of a public highway or publicly accessible place (whether moving or stationary).
In regard to car cruising, the council has clarified this covers all other vehicles, not just cars. You can also be punished for promoting, organising or publicising the occurrence of such events.
The council has outlined the following anti-social behaviour these events bring about:
- obstructing highways, residential or business properties
- dangerous driving or inconsideration driving
- excessive noise via engine, horn or amplified music
- littering
- verbal abuse, swearing and intimidation to members of the public
The fixed penalty notice for being in breach of this order is £100 or on summary conviction to a maximum penalty of a level 3 fine.
The consultation closes at midnight on Friday, August 12. You can have your say here.
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