ASBO warnings for Kilmarnock's boy racers

Dec 5 2008 by Ian Russell, Kilmarnock Standard

COPS are clamping down on so-called ‘boy racers’.

Officers are targeting teenage drivers in a new get tough policy which could see offenders lose their cars.

Already several young offenders have been issued with ASBO warning notices – a wake-up call they’ll have to heed to hold on to their souped-up machines.

And the clampdown doesn’t only focus on quiet country roads, a favourite with the ‘racers.’

Just last week two teenagers were stopped in the space of three hours in Kilmarnock’s busy John Finnie Street.

Said a police spokesman: “The pair’s behaviour behind the wheel brought them to the attention of officers patrolling the area.

“On both occasions the teenagers risked severely injuring themselves and others as they weaved in and out of traffic at excessive speed.”

One, a 19-year-old youth driving a Honda, failed a roadside breath test.

He had only recently had his driving licence returned following a previous drink drive disqualification.

In the other incident, the 17-year-old boy admitted he had passed his driving test just two weeks earlier.

Both were issued with Anti Social Behaviour Act warning notices. Police are warning that anyone issued with an ASBO warning notice could lose their vehicle if they re-offend.

Said Inspector Drew Robertson: “Strathclyde Road Policing will make maximum use of ASBO legislation, which can see the vehicles of offenders being seized.

“Teenage drivers should abide by the road traffic laws when they get behind a steering wheel. A large percentage fail to appreciate they are not invincible and fail to interpret areas of danger’’.

But this week Grant Butler, moderator of Cruise Ayrshire which encourages young people to enjoy safe driving, said sometimes police were too quick to issue the warning notices.

Grant himself was issued with one last month for ‘congregating’ with other Cruise members in a multi-storey car park in Ayr.

Said Grant, 28, from Kilmarnock: “Our group is all for ASBO-related legislation being used against dodgy drivers, but sometimes there’s two sides to it.

“Myself and my friends couldn’t believe we fell foul of the law for just meeting in a car park.

“There is no way we condone dangerous driving, but not every young driver drives like an idiot.”

Grant says the fear of having his £24,000 orange Ford Focus ST seized hangs over him.

“I haven’t received all the paperwork yet so don’t know how long this warning lasts,” he said.

“But I think police should go for the young clowns who are a danger to others on the road, not the ones who have eye-catching, expensive cars, but drive safely.”

A police spokesman said that the notices lasted for 12 months and also applied to the vehicle as well as the driver. So, if a teen driver with a warning notice issued against him or her loans the car to a friend who is then stopped for an offence, the car could still be taken from the owner.