A major authority has extended its powers to ban drivers gathering between certain hours of the day, with rule breakers now facing prison sentences and hefty fines.
The City of Wolverhampton Council was granted a full injunction by the High Court to ban "street racing" by limiting the number of cars which can gather in February last year, with the powers now extended until 2026.
The legal action forbids anyone who is a driver, rider or passenger in a vehicle from gathering in more than two vehicles between 3pm and 7am within the Black Country.
It also covers organisers and spectators, and prevents people from promoting, organising or publicising gatherings as well as participating in a gathering "with the intention or expectation that some of those present will engage in street racing".
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Drivers across Black Country could face imprisonment and hefty fines for breaking the injunction
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The injunction covers the boroughs of Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall, with police able to arrest anyone who breaches the rules.
Drivers caught breaching the rules can face serious punishment, with the court having the power to impose a "sentence of imprisonment, a fine, or an order seizing a person's assets".
The injunction also prohibits driving manoeuvres such as "burnouts" which cause a vehicle to destroy its tyres by applying power at speed.
Other manoeuvres such as "doughnuts or donutting" are also banned, which causes a vehicle to rotate around a fixed point while not moving off, which causes noise, smoke and tyre marks to be created.
Meanwhile, "drifting", made popular in the Fast and Furious films, involves turning by placing the vehicle in a skid is also banned.
"Undertaking", which goes against the Highway Code, involves passing a vehicle on the nearside, is also prohibited.
While the ban has been in place for over a year, the council has already enforced it with one driver paying the price. The motorist who admitted to participating in car racing received a 21-day custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to pay a fine of £2,950.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed said: "The existence of the street racing injunction is widely known across the Black Country, but we are still seeing occasional incidents. As we have seen once again, the court will not hesitate to take tough action against anyone who breaches the injunction."
She explained that street racing activity typically increases with the lighter nights and warmer weather during Spring and summer.
"Anyone who is thinking of taking part in this wholly anti-social activity should recognise the severe consequences that they will face," she warned.
In February this year, a judge granted permission for the injunction across the Black Country to continue, with it now being held until early 2026.
The council added that it will be reviewing it to make sure it remains effective, with drivers urged not to participate in the illegal activities, which could have serious outcomes.
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Drivers have been found to participate in street racing, particularly during the Spring and Summer months
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Councillor Suzanne Hartwell from Sandwell Council added: "Street racing puts people’s lives at risk and can lead to tragedies on our roads.
"This is the tenth person we have taken to court for breaching the injunction by racing on Sandwell’s roads, and we will continue to work in partnership with the police and other Black Country councils to respond to people’s concerns and protect our communities."
