By NATALIE GALLENTI
MELTON and Brimbank motorists continue to flout the law according to figures released by the Melton Traffic Unit.
The statistics reveal 174 impounded cars were impounded in Brimbank since the beginning of the year to the end of August, while 89 cars were impounded by Melton police in the same period.
Most of the drivers whose cars were impounded already had their licences disqualified or suspended previously. The majority of other impounds were due to excessive speed or improper use of a vehicle.
Melton Leading Senior Constable Allan Edwards said despite the introduction of new hoon laws in July 2011, which give police the power to immediately impound cars for 30 days instead of two, motorists continued to drive dangerously.
“Taking their licences, taking their cars…there is a hard core element out there that it doesn’t matter what we do,” Lead Snr Const Edwards said.
“They seem to think that the chances of them being caught are slim. The vast majority are young males, whether it’s showing off…I don’t know what it is.”
He said only last year a motorcyclist died after he was thrown off his bike while riding dangerously in a car park and the same evening a group of youths, including the motorcyclists’ brother, were drag-racing in the same car park.
“That’s the mentality we’re dealing with.”
On a positive note, the rate of recidivist offenders has dropped.
“It used to be a badge of honour when it was just 48 hours but now it’s 30 days, they are less likely to reoffend.”
He said police were well aware of hoon hotspots in Melton and Brimbank and often received calls from the public. He also told Star burn out competitions were not uncommon, particularly in Brimbank’s industrial areas.
