Police Minister Jack Dempsey has described the recent convictions of two men under tough new LNP evade police laws as a strong message for people who try to escape the law.
In August, the Newman Government increased penalties for motorists attempting to outrun police to a mandatory $5500 fine and two-year loss of license.
One motorist in Hervey Bay and another in Caboolture have paid the price for their decision to run and were convicted by the courts last week.
Mr Dempsey said the convictions were a win for the community and police whose lives are put at risk by dangerous drivers.
“For too long the community has been frustrated by the number of people who don’t stop when directed to by police thereby placing lives in danger,” Mr Dempsey said.
“In the first six months of this year alone more than 1500 motorists evaded police because, under Labor’s penalties, they knew they’d only get a fine of around $300.
“This is the same amount a mum or dad would get for a standard traffic offence.
“The LNP identified that evading police was becoming an increasing problem in Queensland and we hope these convictions and subsequent penalties send a strong message to people flirting with the notion of doing a runner.”
Mr Dempsey said the government would continue to crack down on people who think it is okay to put innocent lives at risk with dangerous driving.
“By the end of the year we’ll see the recently announced anti-hooning laws brought before Parliament which will introduce a two-strikes penalty for serious offenders,” he said.
“Under the proposed laws, hoons will have their car taken off the road for three months after their first offence and forfeit their vehicle if caught again within a five-year period.”
