Being a holiday destination, the area had \u201ca lot of noise problems historically\u201d but Wardrill said the problem had grown since December.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not worried about people having a party or going to a pub and making noise along the CBD.\u201d<\/p>\n
The disruptions she had noticed were cars \u201crigged up to make massive amounts of noise at awful times of the day and night\u201d.<\/p>\n
Wardrill said she watched the dangerous drivers start at one end of Marine Parade and accelerate beyond the speed limit.<\/p>\n
She said activity typically began on Thursday afternoon and continued through to Monday morning.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s worse in the evening because there\u2019s less traffic, so the cars whip up and down.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody\u2019s really fed up with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Residents and businesses in Mount Maunganui reported a rise in dangerous driving on Marine Parade and Maunganui Rd. Photo \/ George Novak <\/p>\n
Residents say enforcement falls short<\/p>\n
Wardrill said she saw police driving down Marine Parade on weekends between 11pm and 1am, but the disruptions peaked between 2am and 4am.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s never any enforcement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wardrill said the police told her two separate people must file a noise complaint with police before officers attended the scene.<\/p>\n
The noise must also be sustained, but \u201cby the time [the police] act on the complaint, the driver\u2019s gone\u201d.<\/p>\n
Wardrill said further law enforcement was needed, as well as other suggested actions for Tauranga City Council and police.<\/p>\n
The petition mentioned stricter enforcement of existing noise bylaws, the introduction of speed-reducing measures, road redesign and safer bike lanes.<\/p>\n
Businesses also affected<\/p>\n
Kati Croken, a manager at a retail store on Maunganui Rd, signed Wardrill\u2019s petition.<\/p>\n
She said the problem was worse on weekends, especially Saturdays.<\/p>\n
The disruptions \u201csounded like a gunshot going off and scared customers\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like [the drivers] are trying to race each other, show off.\u201d<\/p>\n
Croken suggested restricting vehicle traffic on Maunganui Rd during summer, making the street a pedestrian zone.<\/p>\n
Retail manager Kati Croken said downtown Mount Maunganui should be made a pedestrian zone. Photo \/ Andrew Warner<\/p>\n
Two weeks ago, Croken phoned the police to make a report.<\/p>\n
There were multiple cars driving past, so she read the number plates to the operator.<\/p>\n
Croken said the police had not attended the scene following her complaints.<\/p>\n
Western Bay of Plenty Police area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton said the police deploy according to demand.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are already a range of legislative measures in place that police can take to help curb antisocial road user behaviour, which officers regularly employ.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said these measures included infringement notices for driving behaviours<\/a> and impounding vehicles.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know our community is frustrated and sick of this behaviour, and we urge people to report matters to us as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Paxton also suggested writing down number plates and taking photos or videos.<\/p>\n Council reviewing petition<\/p>\n