An interim injunction banning ‘street racing’, also known as ‘car cruising’, is in force in the Black Country.
It forbids anyone who is a driver, rider or passenger in or on a motor vehicle to participate between the hours of 3pm and 7am in a gathering of two or more persons within the Black Country area at which some of those present engage in motor racing or motor stunts or other dangerous or obstructive driving.
For the purposes of the injunction, stunts are defined as driving manoeuvres often undertaken at such gatherings including but not limited to:
“Burnouts” – causing a vehicle to destroy its tyres by applying power to the drive wheels while braking so as to remain in place while the wheels revolve at speed
“Donuts/Donutting” – causing a vehicle to rotate around a fixed point (normally the front axle) while not moving-off causing noise, smoke and tyre marks to be created
“Drifting” – turning by placing the vehicle in a skid so that most sideways motion is due to the skid not any significant steering input
“Undertaking” – Passing a vehicle on its nearside so as to overtake in circumstances not permitted by the Highway Code.
The Injunction has a Power of Arrest attached to it which gives the police the power to arrest anyone who breaches it.
Breach of an injunction is a contempt to court and if proved the court has the power to impose a sentence of imprisonment, a fine, or an order seizing a person’s assets.
The Black Country Area includes all of the Boroughs of Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall.
Full details of the interim injunction, including evidence presented to the High Court, the Sealed Order, power of arrest and other supporting documentation such as a map showing the Black Country area, can be found in the downloads section of this page.
There will be a further hearing to take place in May to consider whether the interim injunction should remain in force or be amended. This will be held on Monday 15 May 2023 at 10.30am at the Birmingham District Registry, Civil Justice Centre, The Priory Courts, 33 Bull Street, Birmingham, B4 6DS.
At that hearing the Black Country councils will seek to extend the terms of the Injunction so that it:
Forbids people from participating between the hours of 3pm and 7am in a gathering of two or more persons within the Black Country area at which some of those present engage in motor racing or motor stunts or other dangerous or obstructive driving.
Forbids people from participating between the hours of 3pm and 7am in a gathering of two or more persons within the Black Country area with the intention or expectation that some of those present will engage in motor racing or motor stunts or other dangerous or obstructive driving.
Forbids people from promoting, organising or publicising, by any means whatsoever, any gathering between the hours of 3pm and 7am of two or more persons within the Black Country area, with the intention or expectation that some of those present will engage in motor racing or motor stunts or other dangerous or obstructive driving.
If you wish to take part in that hearing, you should file a formal document called an Acknowledgement of Service not less than seven days before the hearing. If you fail to do so you will need the permission of the judge to take part.
Incidents of street racing should be reported via [email protected] or to West Midlands Police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.