Local MP, Maria Miller, met with Chief Inspector Scott Johnson to discuss the Police’s strategy to combatting noisy, illegal and disruptive dangerous driving.
Maria said, ‘’Over the summer, it was concerning to hear about reports of dangerous driving across our town. These have included people congregating in carparks to perform tricks such as donuts, drivers drifting around roundabouts and speeding along the ring road.
"Since the pandemic, up and down the country there has been a spike in this kind of dangerous driving which, on a number of occasions, has tragically led to fatalities. Thankfully no one has been injured in Basingstoke, but the same cannot be said for everywhere in Hampshire. Before something happens in our community, the message must be clear. Basingstoke’s roads are not racetracks and our carparks are not stunt circuits.
‘’I was pleased to hear from Chief Inspector Johnson that the Police are taking a firm line on this issue. They are working with landowners and the Borough Council to secure areas such as carparks which have historically been used for these activities in the past. As well as having regular patrol cars on our streets, the Police are proactively analysing CCTV footage to look for dangerous driving or illegal car meets.
"As a result of this, in recent months numerous police notices have been sent to those responsible. Additional resources have been allocated to aid these efforts, including the provision of a new £1,700 mobile speed camera. In concert, these measures and prosecutions will convince dangerous drivers that they are not welcome in Basingstoke.
"Chief Inspector Johnson made it absolutely plain; if you engage in this reckless behaviour in Basingstoke, you should expect to be caught and charged. Quite rightly, Basingstoke is taking a zero tolerance approach.’’
