December 4, 2013
In the 30 days since tough new vehicle impoundment and road safety legislation came into effect in Queensland, 4849 incidents have been detected across the State by police, and 879 vehicles have either been impounded or had their number plates confiscated.
Queensland Police Service Commissioner Ian Stewart said police remained committed to making Queensland roads safer and reducing the road toll.
“We applaud the majority of Queenslanders who are law abiding; have legally modified vehicles and take care on our roads,” he said.
“879 vehicles have been taken off our roads. The drivers of these vehicles were repeat offenders. They went too far, didn’t listen and they didn’t want to learn. They continued engaging in high-risk driving behaviours and endangering all other road users.
“The message is getting out there – go too far, lose your car. We will not tolerate the lives of Queensland motorists being risked because other drivers think they can continually flaunt the road rules.”
Acting Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating, from the Road Policing Command, said the new legislation was already showing dividends.
“In one month we have seen significant numbers of drivers charged with hooning related offences, and a substantial number of vehicles taken off the roads for repeat offences,” he said.
“The new legislation is affecting a small minority of motorists who think they are above the law where it hurts the most – by impounding their cars.
“As any police officer will tell you – take away the means to commit an offence and you greatly reduce the likelihood of it happening.
“This legislation focuses on typical hooning behaviour.
“While other offences are included under this new legislation, the consequence of impoundment is an addition to the already existing harsh penalties of hefty fines, licence suspensions and prison sentences for dangerous driving behaviour such as high range drink driving.
“Queensland roads, and every person who uses them, must be safer by removing vehicles that would otherwise be driven recklessly or dangerously.”
* * *
The legislative changes reflect the crackdown on all anti-social and unsafe road behaviours. Offences are broken into two categories, Type 1 and Type 2, and the changes include:
Type 1 offences:
- 90 days vehicle impoundment for first offence (dangerous operation or careless driving such as burn-outs or drifting; racing, speed trials and evade police).
- Towing and storage of impounded vehicle is at the driver’s expense.
- Vehicle liable for forfeiture for second offence.
Type 2 offences:
- Infringement notice, notice to appear or arrested for first offence (such as unlicensed driving, high range drink driving, exceeding speed limit by more than 40km/h, driving a vehicle that is both uninsured and unregistered, and non-compliance with vehicle standards and safety regulations). The vehicle will not be impounded or immobilised.
- 7 days impoundment or immobilisation for second offence
- 90 days impoundment or immobilisation for third offence
- Vehicle liable for forfeiture on subsequent offence
Appeal provisions include:
- Under certain circumstances the owner or usual driver of the impounded or immobilised vehicle may make application to the Commissioner of Police for early release (eg. severe hardship, offence occurred without owner’s consent).
Drivers committing first Type 2 offence will be provided with information regarding consequences of committing further offences.
* * *
Related articles
