Car Insurance
Cruisers face hefty fines
Thu, 16 Feb 2006
Drivers who belt out loud music on their car stereos as they cruise around city centres could have more than their car insurance to worry about when they are hit with heavy fines.
Operating under new laws, a task force in Birmingham has been the first to implement an on-the-spot fine system for cruisers who play their stereos at full blast.
Working in collaboration with the police, the abatement teams will stop arrogant drivers who are making themselves a source of annoyance to the public.
"We are getting stuck into these drivers because they are becoming an absolute menace," councillor Neil Eustace, chairman of the city's public protection committee, told the Birmingham Post.
"They are an irritant to pedestrians and other motorists and you can hear music blaring out of their car stereos from streets away," he added.
Penalties of up to £80 could be handed out to drivers under the anti social behaviour act, after cities reported little previous success in their attempts to resolve the problem.
The task force will concentrate its authority on problem areas of the city, using West Midlands Police resources and environmental health powers.
© Adfero Ltd
