Narre Warren a hoon haven

By Kelly Yates
MORE than 250 motorists in Casey have had their vehicles impounded since anti-hoon legislation was introduced on 1 July 2006.
Narre Warren was ranked third among the top 10 suburbs with 74 hoons.
Victoria Police said of the 253 people in Casey to have their vehicles impounded, 38 were from Endeavour Hills, 32 from Hampton Park and 31 from Berwick, while Hallam and Doveton each recorded 13.
As police marked the second anniversary of the legislation, they revealed they were impounding an average of 10 cars a day.
Drivers who exceed the speed limit by more than 45km/h, engage in dangerous driving or street race against other motorists are among those who have had to stand by and watch their vehicle being towed away for an initial 48 hours.
Assistant Commissioner for Traffic Ken Lay said the legislation continued to be a clear success in Victoria.
The results gathered show that 97.7 per cent of offenders were men with 29.1 per cent aged 22 to 25.
Victoria Police members have impounded nearly 5000 vehicles since the hoon legislation was implemented.
Trucks were also impounded for the first time during an operation on the Monash Freeway last week.
Police Minister Bob Cameron said the laws were hitting hoons where it hurt.
“Less than four per cent of hoons reoffend, which shows that the legislation is working to stamp out dangerous driving behaviour,” he said.
Mr Cameron said the Crime Stoppers Hoon Hotline was already helping police to target hoons, with more than 300 calls received.
“When we brought these in, the Liberals said the first offence should be a warning. I rejected that then and I reject it now,” he said.
“If we had adopted their stance we would have had 5000 warnings sent out not 5000 cars confiscated.”
Drivers who commit hoon-related offences face the seizure of their vehicle for 48 hours.
Second-time offenders risk losing their vehicle for three months, while third-time offenders can lose their vehicles permanently.
Opposition leader Ted Baillieu said Victoria’s hoon drivers were getting off lightly.
He said the Labor party refused to toughen the anti-hoon legislation.
“Since 2006 we have seen the number of hoon driving offences increase from 120 a month to nearly 280 a month, showing these laws have not deterred offenders,” he said.
“Hoon driving is Victoria’s fastest-growing popular sport and having your car confiscated for 48 hours is now seen as a badge of honour.”