Shocking footage of dangerous drivers in south Auckland has emerged, and there's concern behaviour like it is on the increase.
Police are trying to crack down on so-called hoon drivers, and say they're putting the public's lives at risk.
These drivers are testing the limits of their cars by driving across centre lines and hooning along suburban roads at top speed.
They're also testing the limits of police, who say dangerous driving like this is on the increase -- with around 60 reported incidents every weekend.
Counties Manukau Police Inspector Alison Brand says incidents like this happen “particularly around the summer months, when the weather is fine and there is more young people out and about -- and the road conditions do tend to support this kind of driver behaviour.”
One popular location for the hoons is Twilight Rd in Clevedon; another is the streets around Takanini.
BRAKE Road Safety Charity development director Caroline Perry says the behaviour shown is "extremely risky and endangering lives".
"The drivers that take part are showing a blatant disregard for other road users, as well as themselves and their passengers," she said.
“It’s extremely concerning to hear how many reported incidents there are every weekend, and that these are taking place on a number of suburban roads where there will be other road user around, even at night”.
A local business manager, who wanted to be referred to only by his first name John, says hoons visit the street up to four times a week and the commotion annoys his customers.
“To be honest I’m a petrol head from way back -- I do like the smell of the smoke and the burning rubber so I like that in that sense,” he said.
“But really they should take it off to the track and maybe do it elsewhere and not on a public road that endangers the safety of others.”
John believes there should be a focus on educating these drivers on where it is safe to take their vehicles -- but Inspector brand has a stern message for the reckless drivers, and is urging them to stop.
“They will be prosecuted and taken to court and depending on the severity of the act, if someone is hurt or killed, they may even have a term of imprisonment.”
Newshub.
