South Gloucestershire Drivers Could Face £1000 Fines As Car Cruising Ban Comes Into Place
South Gloucestershire Council have put a new car cruising ban in place which could see drivers facing fines of up to £1000.
The Council have used powers under section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act to introduce an area wide Public Space Protection Order which prohibits anyone from partaking in a car cruise and other related anti-social behaviour.
A car cruise is mainly defined as a congregation of cars and spectators who meet in car parks or public spaces to race, show off their cars or perform stunts and can be considered dangerous for all attending.
Councillor Sean Rhodes, the cabinet member responsible for environmental enforcement at South Gloucestershire Council, says: “These often spontaneous events also place a significant demand on police and council resources. They are not attended by Ambulance or private First Aid teams and are not regulated by any public body to ensure health and safety is adhered to.”
The order applies to all open air spaces in the South Gloucestershire boundary but does include an exemption for motorsports clubs and other genuine events.
Anyone found guilty of partaking in a car cruise or related events could face fines of up to £1000 or could be issued with fixed penalty notices of £100 by a Police or Council Officer.
Related offences that are prohibited under the order include:
• Causing a danger or risk of injury to other road users, including pedestrians, by speeding or racing
• Causing damage or risk of damage to property
• Speeding or racing on the public highway
• Performing stunts, including but not limited to, doughnuts, manoeuvre drifting, skidding, handbrake turns or wheel spinning
• Sounding horns or the playing of loud music so as to cause a nuisance
• Revving of engines so as to cause a nuisance
• Causing obstruction on a public highway or publicly accessible land.
Inspector Matt Boiles, from Avon and Somerset Police Roads Policing Unit who have been working closely with the council, said: “We are committed to working closely with South Gloucestershire Council and our partner agencies to tackle the anti-social use of vehicles, which poses a significant risk to the safety and wellbeing of our communities.”
The order is set to be in place for 3 years unless extended by further orders.