Road safety authorities are trying to pull the plug on a new computer game that encourages players to hoon through the streets of Sydney.

"Burn up a storm past famous landmarks such as the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge," says the promotional material for Project Gotham Racing 2, by Xbox. The game is "the ultimate test of racing skill, style and daring, rewarding drivers not only for how fast they drive but for how they drive fast," it says. "Drivers will earn kudos and gain recognition for cornering on two wheels around the Sears Tower in Chicago, or power sliding through the ancient streets of Florence, Italy."

State Labor MP Paul Gibson, chairman of the Staysafe Committee, intends to take the matter up with the Office of Film and Literature Classification, which approves such games for sale in Australia, and which issued a G rating to Project Gotham Racing 2. "This game sends the wrong message to young people. It is actually glorifying speed and power," Mr Gibson said. "It is clearly an inappropriate depiction of speed behaviour. If I had my way I would ban it."