By Alesha Capone
BRIMBANK police have put dangerous drivers on notice, after impounding the vehicles of more than 130 hoons this year.
Acting Sergeant Dave England said the Brimbank Highway Patrol have confiscated 133 vehicles under the state’s anti-hoon legislation, including four motorbikes.
“There are some on that list who have offended more than three times, so they’ve had to forfeit their vehicle to the state,” Act Sgt England said.
“Predominately, we catch young males and P-plate drivers.
“Some are as a result of people ringing up and saying, ‘People in my street have been doing burn-outs’, and we’ll come down and deal with it.”
Act Sgt England said police have caught drivers doing burnouts, racing at more than 45 kilometres over the speed limit and on “improper use of vehicle” charges.
“We also have the power to take someone’s car if they are driving while suspended or disqualified with prior convictions,” he said.
“Really the message is drive responsibly and drive safely, or if you’re caught doing illegal activities, your vehicle will be impounded and you will be dealt with by the courts.”
Recently, a P-plate driver had his car impounded after he was caught driving at 159km in an 80km area on the Calder Freeway in Keilor.
Act Sgt England said police often ran operations targeting hoon-type behaviour across Brimbank.
“Industrial areas are starting to become a favourite haunt, especially late at night,” he said.
“We get organised gatherings of people, whether it’s through spontaneous text messages or Facebook or wherever they do it, we get some intelligence on that and go and deal with it.”
Act Sgt England encouraged anyone who saw hoon driving to contact Crime Stoppers Hoon Hotline on 1800 333 000.
