BY Denise Deason
HOPPERS Crossing is a favourite haunt for hoons, according to the latest police figures.
It came fifth in the state and topped the Melbourne suburban list with 35 cars impounded by police from dangerous drivers under the hoon legislation last year.
Hoppers Crossing shared the dubious honour with Frankston, which also had 35 cars impounded.
Top of the state was Bendigo, with 90 cars impounded, followed by Mildura, 44, Geelong, 43, and Shepparton, 41.
However, once you add in other local areas including Werribee, with 25 cars impounded, Wyndham Vale, 7, Tarneit, 5, and Point Cook, 9, the total number of hoons caught in Wyndham was 81.
Across Victoria, police impounded 2600 vehicles in the first full calendar year of the operation of the hoon legislation.
Drivers who chose to exceed the speed limit by more than 45kmh, engage in dangerous driving practices or street race against other motorists were among those who had to stand by and watch their car being towed away for an initial 48 hours.
The most commonly impounded vehicle was the Holden Commodore, 837 impounded, followed by the Ford Falcon with 220.
Inspector Tom McGillian, of the Vehicle Impoundment Support Unit, said the figures served as a clear warning to drivers who might be tempted to do the wrong thing.
“The message from police is simple – if you break the law, you will lose your vehicle,” he said.
“The ability for police to remove dangerous drivers from the roads immediately has attracted plenty of publicity so there should be no-one caught in this situation who is surprised when the tow truck arrives.
“The public continues to be highly supportive of this legislation and police are confident using it.
“Ultimately it is about making our roads safer and reducing the incidence of road trauma and the road toll.”
Insp McGillian said an analysis of the figures showed almost half of the hoon drivers were probationary licence holders and 98 per cent were male.
“The legislation really targets those young male drivers, who are over-represented in our road trauma and fatality statistics,” he said.
“This age group is more willing to take dangerous risks – risks to themselves and to others, and this law enables police to take them off the road immediately.”
