If, like me, you are frequently irritated by the "boom boom boom" of drum 'n bass pumping out of the back of small hatchback cars circling your local town then you will be interested in our latest initiative to deal with the nuisance. The phenomenon is symptomatic of a wider problem concerning the attitude of some young drivers (overwhelmingly males) towards motor cars. Encouraged by astonishing levels of hype and marketing, too many young people, rather than using their car responsibly as a means of getting to work, college or McDonald's, are instead treating it as a fashion accessory, a mobile disco or a racing machine (and often all three). There are a number of adverse consequences to this behaviour in North Wales, including a significant rise in road death amongst 17 - 25 year old male drivers during the first half of this decade. As the result of a spate of tragic fatalities we put an enormous amount of effort into enforcement and educational schemes with the result that deaths in this category reduced during 2007.
There has also been a sub-culture associated with this infatuation manifesting itself in "cruising" events, where large numbers of boy racers assemble on retail or industrial parks to compare their tackle. Activities range from envious glance-casting to illegal full-on races around marked out tracks. Catering vans have even been known to turn up at some meetings.
Amongst our initiatives to deal with the potential danger and nuisance caused by these events is a brand new police vehicle specially designed for the job. From the shell of an expired "Arrive Alive" camera van and blinged up with the generous support of local automotive suppliers we have created what I am positive is the region's awesomest set of wheels. The deuce is jam packed full of information and advice for young drivers and draws a crowd wherever it goes. Having assembled the curious (and jealous) spectators we can get some serious messages across. It also has the best sounds around. Check it out.
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