Hoons get breathing space

By Rebecca Fraser
NEW laws that will give Casey police the power to confiscate hoons’ cars are still a couple of months away.
On Saturday, the State Government introduced new legislation to seize cars from drivers caught drag racing, performing “burnouts” or engaging in other dangerous “hoon” acts.
The move gives police the power to impound, immobilise or permanently confiscate hoon vehicles under tough new laws that came into force last weekend.
The new laws are currently being piloted in various locations throughout Victoria but are not expected to come into force in Casey for at least another two months.
Senior Constable John Diamond of Casey Traffic Management Unit said the new laws would be introduced once the pilot program had been completed.
He said the new measure would act as another good deterrent and send a clear message to hoon drivers that their dangerous behaviour would not be tolerated.
“If they have no car – they cannot do it,” he said.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Tim Holding said the laws would also apply to reckless speeders and repeat “drive while disqualified” offenders.
“This tough new legislation will hit hoons where it hurts – by taking away their wheels,” Mr Holding said.
Mr Holding said amendments to the Road Safety Act 1986 had made the new legislation possible.
“If police have reasonable grounds for believing a motorist has committed a hoon-related offence, they will be able to seize that vehicle for 48 hours, either through impoundment or by way of on-site immobilisation,” Mr Holding said.
“Any driver committing a second hoon-related offence within three years may have their vehicle impounded for up to three months.”
“And if a person is found guilty of three hoon-related offences inside three years, their vehicle can be permanently forfeited by the Court.”
Mr Holding also warned parents to ensure their children did not engage in hoon driving behaviour. He said the family car was not exempt from impoundment or even permanent confiscation.