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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 9 Hansard (18 November) . . Page.. 2585 ..

MR RUGENDYKE (continuing):

The Bill primarily addresses two glaring weak links in the Act as it stands today. Firstly, it aims to strengthen the laws in regard to drag racing on Canberra streets. Secondly, it introduces new provisions to outlaw burnouts on our public roads.

Over the past decade Canberra has been a focal point for motor vehicle enthusiasts, mainly due to the success of the annual Summernats event. I would like to say from the outset, Mr Speaker, that this Bill does not set out to throw a wet blanket over this nationally recognised competition. Summernats has proved to be an asset to the Territory in terms of drawing tourists, and at the same time it has put the spotlight on Canberra as an ideal venue to host such events. The exposure has attracted other car shows which, as a rule, are well conducted within the confines of the event.

As most of us can testify, within these groups there is always the irresponsible minority who smear the hoodlum image over all participants. Talk to anyone from North Canberra or suburbs closer to the city and they will have a story of vehicles utilising their streets as a stage for incessant drag racing or burnouts. I know that the organisers of car events do not encourage this sort of behaviour, but, more importantly, the community should not have to tolerate it. Unfortunately, this has been going on for too long, Mr Speaker, and the time has come to say enough is enough.

What goes on within the boundaries of a sanctioned event should be allowed to continue; but once drivers take their vehicles onto our public streets that is not a green light to pretend it is Mount Panorama or Daytona. When it comes to drag racing and burnouts, these drivers should be staring at a permanent red light. It concerns me particularly that interstate drivers can enter the ACT with an attitude which displays contempt for the safety of other motorists. For example, I am aware of regulars to these car events who actually budget up to $1,000 to pay for fines during their stay here in Canberra. This is a clear indication that the present Act is not working sufficiently. It is not a deterrent. It is time to look at measures which will weed the hoons from our streets.

New South Wales has laws proscribing drag racing and the deliberate, extended spinning of car wheels on public streets. The law also allows for the cars of offenders to be impounded for a time or, for a second or subsequent offence, forfeited. I propose to introduce similar laws to the ACT, not just for the interstate visitors but also for locals who look upon their licence as some sort of pass to impersonate Evel Knievel.

Mr Speaker, the thrust of this Bill is to strengthen the laws to impress safer attitudes on our roads and also to eliminate pollution problems associated with the practice of drag racing and burnouts. Presently the Motor Traffic Act simply states that the driver of a motor vehicle on a public street shall not race with another motor vehicle. This Bill will expand on this offence. It stipulates that drivers on public streets shall not race with another vehicle, attempt to break any motor vehicle speed record, trial the speed of a motor vehicle, or compete in a trial designed to test the skill of a driver.

The other addition to the Act relates specifically to burnouts. If accepted by the Assembly, Mr Speaker, it will become an offence for a person to knowingly burn out a motor vehicle on a public street. It will also be an offence for a person to knowingly burn out a motor vehicle on a public street where any petrol, oil, diesel fuel or other

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