By Alesha Capone
NEW anti-hoon laws have not deterred Brimbank’s hoons from driving dangerously, with police impounding 200 vehicles in the area this year.
Between January and last week, Brimbank’s Highway Patrol confiscated 200 hoon vehicles across eight months – compared to the 195 they seized in 12 months last year.
Senior Sergeant Ross Burbidge said the State Government introduced tough new legislation on 1 July, allowing police to confiscate hoon drivers’ cars for 30 days, instead of the previous punishment of 48 hours.
Last Wednesday, he spoke to Star about Brimbank’s hoon problem.
“Up until yesterday they (Brimbank’s Highway Patrol) had impounded 200 vehicles so far this year, of which 186 were males,” he said.
“Of the 200 this year, 52 were aged 21 or under.”
“Since the new legislation came in, in Brimbank alone we’ve impounded 46 vehicles.
“We thought the legislation may slow people down, but maybe the message hasn’t filtered through and people don’t seem to care about losing their licence, it’s not a badge of honour.”
Out the 200 hoons caught in Brimbank this year, 91 were arrested for driving with a disqualified or suspended licence, 44 for speeding at 45km above the speed limit, 36 for improper use of a vehicle (eg. burn-outs), nine for evading police and eight for careless driving.
Another six were directed by the courts to stop driving, two for speeding 70km or more over the legal limit, two for failing to have proper control of the vehicle and two at ‘speeds dangerous’.
“Since the new legislation came in, we thought that might cause it to drop off, but it hasn’t,” Sen Sgt Burbidge said.
“Of the 200, 76 were full licence holders, 59 were already disqualified, 48 were probationary drivers, eight were unlicensed, five on their L-plates and one on an international driver’s licence.”
He said drivers caught hooning faced large fines plus more than $600 in towing fees when police impounded their cars.
“If you come up a second or third time, the magistrate can sell your car and the owner doesn’t get anything,” he said.
Anyone who has information about hoon driving, can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
