Jack Dempsey
April 17, 2013
The State Government has passed tough new anti-hooning laws that will see cars seized on a first offence.
And people who commit two serious hooning offences will have their cars confiscated indefinitely – ie sold or crushed – as part of changes to the Police Powers and Responsibilities (Motor Vehicle Impoundment) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012.
Last year in the North Coast Police Region – which includes the South Burnett – 157 “Type 1” (see below) hooning offences were recorded and 129 vehicles were impounded.
Police Minister Jack Dempsey said Queenslanders were fed up with dangerous hooning and wanted the brakes put on the perpetrators.
“Hooning such as racing and driving recklessly in the suburbs is not only socially unacceptable, it is outright dangerous and places the lives of all road users at risk,” Mr Dempsey said.
“In the past we have even seen hoons lose control of their vehicles before ploughing into yards and houses injuring and, in some cases, taking the lives of innocent people.
“The community and the government were sick and tired of hoons and these new penalties will see their cars off the road for 90 days for the first offence, and confiscated and sold or crushed if they commit a second hooning offence within a five-year period.”
The two strikes approach will apply to those committing Type 1 offences which include:
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
- Racing and speed trials on roads
- Wilfully starting a motor vehicle or driving a motor vehicle in a way that makes unnecessary noise or smoke
- Evading police
The new laws have been passed in State Parliament but they won’t come into effect for six months to allow time for community education about the new penalties.
* * *
The Two-Strikes Policy relates to Type 1 offences only:
Any subsequent offence – forfeiture
2nd offence – 7-day impoundment
3rd offence – 90-day impoundment
Any subsequent offence – forfeiture
