POLICE are taking a zero tolerance approach to anyone identified driving anti-socially in East Hampshire. Anti-social driving includes vehicles doing wheel spins, racing each other, skidding around off-road and doing wheelies. It covers activity not just on roads but in public open spaces. Witnesses to anti-social driving should try and log as much information as possible: for example the date, time, location, registration number, driver or riders name and what that driver or rider was doing which you consider to be anti- social. If you cannot get a number plate or a name of the driver, please note any distinguishing features which might help identify who they are. Please call 101 or 999 if urgent. Councillor for youth and community Hilary Ayer, said: "The consequences of anti-social driving can have long-lasting effects including serious injury and death. "We need to work together with our communities and the police to ensure that those driving dangerously are identified and dealt with. This will reduce anti-social driving and make our roads and open spaces safer for everyone." This zero tolerance approach fits with the launch of a multi-agency educational event Safe Drive, Stay Alive, produced by the Safer Roads Partnership, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, Hampshire Police, South Central Ambulance Service and other agencies. It is targeted towards 16 to 24-year-olds, marked as a vulnerable group, to raise awareness of the consequences of a collision and dangers associated with driving, not only upon those directly involved, but also the affect upon members of the emergency services.
Police warn that: l The Roads Policing Unit can instantly seize a vehicle which has no insurance. This would cost £105 per day recovery fee and £12 per day storage fee. If the vehicle is not collected within 14 days, it will be crushed. l Mini-Motos used on a road will be classed as a motor vehicle and need a driving licence and insurance as well as a crash helmet, MOT and tax disc. l Those who drive mini-motos illegally, face the prospect of having their vehicle crushed. Offenders can expect to receive points on their licence and this includes children who aren't old enough to currently hold a driving at the time of the crime. When a child is awarded points on a 'future' licence as a result of driving a mini-moto illegally, some insurance companies will refuse to insure them once they have passed their driving test. As a minimum, their insurance premium will be vastly increased.