The washing of vehicle windows has been a long-running problem in parts of New Zealand where motor vehicle users have been subjected to intimidation and safety hazards caused by groups of people soliciting money in exchange for washing car windows.

Some local authorities have attempted to stop this practice by way of a bylaw; however, the legislation enabling a local authority to create bylaws does not generally allow a local authority to make offences against a bylaw an infringement offence. By making the washing of vehicles in a way that is unsafe, intimidating, or causing a nuisance an infringement offence, enforcement authorities will have greater ability to stop and penalise individuals for such behaviour.

This Bill proposes using the existing infringement regime established under the Land Transport Act 1998, which is well known to the New Zealand Police, by amending that Act, the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004, and the Land Transport (Offences and Penalties) Regulations 1999, to put in place an enforcement regime against window washing.