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High Court grants order banning street racing in the Black Country

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.

Incidents of street racing should be reported via asbu@wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk or to West Midlands Police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

Audio information about the interim street racing injunction application.

At a case management hearing on Wednesday 4 October 2023, the High Court allowed the interim injunction to continue, with Her Honour Judge Kelly ordering that a further review hearing be held on 20 December 2023 with a final hearing on 27 and 28 February, 2024.

Downloads