Have your say on tackling dangerous driving and ‘car cruising’ in West Northants

22 January 2025

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), in partnership with Northamptonshire Police, Fire, and other community safety partners, is exploring measures to combat organised dangerous driving, commonly known as car cruising. 

This initiative includes considering the implementation of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) aimed at curbing anti-social behaviours associated with such activities.

A PSPO can deal with continued and unreasonable nuisances and anti-social behaviour that poses risks to people and affects the quality of life for the local community in a particular area. They help make sure people can use and enjoy public spaces, helping to make West Northamptonshire a better and safer place to live. 

Organised dangerous driving involves gatherings of vehicles engaging in hazardous activities like street racing, performing stunts, reckless driving, and generating excessive noise. 

These events often occur on public roads, car parks, and fields, posing significant risks to public safety and disrupting local communities. The potential dangers extend to emergency services, affecting their response times and resource allocation.

The Council is proposing the introduction of a PSPO which would empower WNC and its partners to impose restrictions on specific areas, effectively prohibiting car cruising, illegal car meets, and other unauthorised events. 

Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to share their views and experiences by taking part in a consultation to gather insights into the impact of car cruising on local communities. 

The feedback collected will be reviewed in collaboration with Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service to determine the feasibility of implementing a PSPO. If the proposal moves forward, a draft PSPO will be developed and advertised for further public input.

Have your say and take part in the consultation via WNC's consultation hub before midnight on Sunday, 16 February 2025.