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Dangerous Driving

Volume 470: debated on Tuesday 22 January 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government plan to take to reduce levels of street racing. (177317)

It is an offence under section 12(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 for a person to promote or take part in a race between motor vehicles on a highway. The offence carries a maximum fine at level 4 (£2,500), obligatory disqualification and obligatory endorsement of between three and 11 penalty points on the offender’s licence. The police also have a power under section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 to seize a vehicle that is being driven carelessly or inconsiderately on road contrary to section 3 of the 1988 Act and in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause alarm distress or annoyance. Enforcement of the law and exercise of the seizure power are operational matters for the police.