Boy racers use bank slips to time dangerous driving contests

Published on Monday 27 April 2009 09:55

A DANGEROUS new driving competition in which boy racers use cash-machine statements to time their speed is being investigated by police.

Officers are investigating reports of cars speeding from the Tesco car park in South Queensferry to the small West Lothian town of Newton, around two-and-a-half miles away.

The drivers are understood to be withdrawing a mini-statement at the beginning of the race, making the five-mile round trip to Newton and back, and then withdrawing a second statement which they use as a time-marker to challenge other drivers to beat their time. There is even thought to be a shorter version of the game involving the Echline Roundabout.

A police spokesman confirmed they were investigating the craze, which mirrors similar games in the rest of the country.

Queensferry & District Community Council Vice Chair Keith Giblet said locals were concerned about the game, which has been dubbed "The Race to Newton".

He said: "From what we understand the boy racers are setting off from the Tesco car park, travelling through the Echline Roundabout and on into Newton, then heading straight back and using cash machines to record their time.

"There's apparently also a shorter version of the game where drivers leave the car park and travel once round the Echline Roundabout and back, with the aim of the game being to beat the lights."

Inspector John Beresford, of Lothian and Borders Police road policing branch, said he had heard of similar games taking place among boy racers in other parts of the country.

"I have heard on the grapevine that it is now creeping into our area," he said. "The game would only be illegal if they are breaking the speed limit, or acting irresponsibly on the road, so to that extent it depends on what they're doing.

"I would hope that anyone who was aware of these races taking place would contact the police."

Members of local car enthusiast club Edinburgh Cruise, which regularly holds races on the Knockhill Racing Circuit in Dunfermline and meetings on Calton Hill to compare modifications, said that none of their members has owned up to taking part.

Member Colin Mottram, 23, owner of Central Car Electronics, said: "If they're doing something illegal we would be unlikely to hear about it on our forum, but if they did post something like that up they would come in for some harsh comments and probably be removed by the administrator.

"Edinburgh Cruise members consider themselves a bit more mature than that. We've got a good community spirit, and you won't be accepted if you go around acting like an idiot."