Fine Gael MEP, Jim Higgins this week has called for boy racers to have their cars impounded by Gardai if they are caught breaking the law and causing a problem for other road users. "I am calling on the Government to introduce the necessary statutory instrument or legislation so that the cars of these boy racers can be impounded immediately by Gardai" said Higgins, who is a member of the European Parliament's Transport Committee.
He went on to say, "I cannot understand why the Gardai are not doing more to stop this kind of behaviour. It is putting lives at risk and terrorising residents. Elderly people are scared because of the noise and the reckless way in which some young drivers are using the roads. Boy racers driving at excessive speeds in souped up cars, is both intimidating and dangerous, and has no place on our roads. There is one simple solution to this, and that is take the cars off the road, and impound them.”
Higgins was unapologetic in his stance saying, "I cannot take an ambiguous line on this. We need the Government and the Gardai to take action, to ensure that other road users are protected".
The Mayo native this week also welcomed the live to play campaign launched by the GAA to highlight road safety. Higgins said, “Young drivers need to be educated as to the dangers of speeding and I must commend the GAA for their innovative thinking. For years we have watched successive detailed and frightening ads, yet the message has failed to hit home with its target audience, now we must try a different approach - education. We need to urgently introduce road safety education in secondary schools.”
