The High Court has granted a full and final injunction banning 'street racing', also known as 'car cruising', in the Black Country.

Street racing banned 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.

It also covers organisers and spectators, prohibiting people from promoting, organising or publicising gatherings, or from participating in a gathering as a spectator with the intention or expectation that some of those present will engage in street racing.

The injunction covers the whole of the boroughs of Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall and 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.

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 and power of arrest were granted on Tuesday 27 February, 2024, will remain in force for a period of at least three years, and will be subject to an annual review.

At a hearing on 26 February 2025, The Honourable Mr Justice Ritchie permitted the injunction to continue, with minor amendments to the wording, after hearing evidence from the Claimant councils that there was a "pressing need for a continuance" of the injunction. A further annual review of the injunction will be held by the High Court in early 2026, on a date to be fixed in due course.
 
Full details of the 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. Please note, this is in the process of being updated.

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.

The injunction is advertised by signs in key places on the highway, these signs can be seen in the Downloads section. Here you can find the locations of these signs. If signs are missing or damaged, please report this on 01902 551155 or Contact Roads.

The application was led by the City of Wolverhampton Council on behalf of Dudley Council, Sandwell Council and Walsall Council, and supported by West Midlands Police. 
 
To contact the claimants, write to: FAO: Black Country Car Cruise, Legal Services, City of Wolverhampton Council, Civic Centre, St Peter's Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1RG. Alternatively, email litigation@wolverhampton.gov.uk or call 01902 556556.


 


 

Videos

Warning, some videos contain scenes that some people may find distressing

Evidence and documentation in the injunction application September 2022 to Febr…
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