Figures obtained by The AA show that at least 484 unauthorised
‘car meets' or ‘car cruises' have taken place across the UK up to
mid-October this year1. Last year, at least 503
unauthorised ‘car meets' were held, as well as a minimum of 377
in 2021.
Only 13 out of 45 UK's Police forces could provide figures
following a freedom of information (FOI) request by the UK's
leading motoring organisation.
From forces that could supply figures, Nottinghamshire Police has
experienced the largest number of ‘car meets', with 134 so far
this year – on target to beat last years' total of 136. Gwent
Police have so far had 130 incidents, up from 96 events in 2022
and 52 the year before.
In addition to the FOI, a 10,000 poll of AA members2
found that one in 10 had seen an increase in unauthorised ‘car
meets' in their neighbourhood over the last 12 months, with the
South East (14%), West Midlands (12%), East Midlands and Eastern
England (both 11%) exceeding the national average.
Of those that had experienced more events in their area, eight
out of 10 (80%) said one of the consequences was excess noise,
while 71% said there have been more vehicles racing on the roads.
Similarly, three fifths (61%) say there have been large
congregations of vehicles meeting up at night, while more than
half (55%) say there have been tyre marks left in car parks due
to drivers showing off, excessively revving and burning their
tyres, as well as doing doughnuts [spinning the vehicle at high
revs while in full-lock, causing a circular shape].
Worryingly, A quarter say there are more damaged streetlights and
signposts due to the increase in events, and a fifth say there
have been more crashes due to the unauthorised meets. Local
authorities and Police are taking measures to tackle the rise in
‘car meets' be carrying out more patrols, introducing signage and
using anti-social behaviour dispersal laws to discourage them
taking place.
The AA is highlighting the increase in ‘car meets' due to the
increased danger they present to those that attend, as well as
the general public. Numerous events have seen large numbers of
vehicles congregate in one place, leading to drivers being goaded
to behave in a dangerous manner. Unfortunately, many people have
been seriously injured at these events in recent
years3.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said; “Far from
the cry of legal car meet events, where enthusiasts show off
their pride and joy, these anti-social pop-up cruises are causing
havoc and chaos within neighbourhoods.
“Many events are arranged on social media to keep Police in the
dark until frustrated residents phone up to report the
activities. Even then, it is a mixed picture regarding if the
Police will show up to disperse the meet. While there are
dispersal orders available to forces to help break up the show,
only a handful exist.
“It is deeply concerning that these cruises are being used by
some to drive dangerously, and in some cases causing harm to
bystanders and damaging property4.
“One way to tackle the problem is to have more cops in cars who
can attend and disperse the crowd. As part of the government's
road safety strategy, it could hire 1,000 more traffic officers
to help improve road safety and police the roads5.”
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Summary of FOI data requested by
The AA of all UK Police Forces;
- Yonder received 10,237 responses
from AA members to its online poll between the 15th to 23rd
October 2024. Yonder is a member of the British Polling Council
and abides by its rules.
-
Flitwick: Safety
concerns raised over illegal car meets - BBC News and
Car cruising banned in
Stevenage for two years following crash - BBC News
-
Driver of dangerously
modified BMW crashed into person at car meet - BBC News
-
AA Calls For More
Traffic Police | AA (theaa.com)
