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Puting the brakes on hoons
Hoon noun Colloquial: a fast, reckless driver of cars or boats (Macquarie Dictionary).
Victorian police now have the power to impound, immobilise or forfeit vehicles under new anti-hoon laws implemented on 1 July 2006. Since the amendments to the Road Safety Act 1986 came into effect, police have seized more than 440 vehicles associated with hoon-related offences.
Data released by the Assistant Commissioner for Traffic, Noel Ashby, and Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Tim Holding, shows the tough new laws are definitely making an impact. Of the ‘hoons’ apprehended since the new laws were effected:
- 99% were male;
- 75% were aged between 16 and 25 years;
- 4% were learner drivers;
- 50% were probationary licence holders
- 54% had their cars confiscated after they were caught doing ‘burnouts’, ‘doughnuts’, ‘fishtails’ or ‘monos’ (motorcycles);
- 51% committed the offence in a Holden.
The zero tolerance approach to dangerous driving means that first time offenders can have their vehicles impounded or immobilised for 48 hours, while second time offenders risk three months without wheels and third time offenders may have their vehicle permanently confiscated by the Court. A costly exercise for a cheap thrill.
A hoon is considered to be someone who: intentionally causes their vehicle to lose traction with the road, exceeds the speed limit by 45kmph or more, engages in unauthorised racing or speed trials on a road or near to a road that is open to the public, or drives with out a valid licence. Police may seize a car on-the-spot within two days of the offence, or serve notice to the offender within 10 days.
It is important to note that vehicles can be seized irrespective of whether the culpable driver is the registered owner of the vehicle. This means that mum or dad might find themselves without a vehicle if the children are caught committing any of the aforementioned offences in the family car.
While the anti-hoon laws are one way to address the dangers on our roads, further laws to be introduced in 2007 go a step further, with special focus on novice drivers. Considering the 120 people killed and 2300 seriously injured in crashes involving young drivers each year, the proposed laws aim to double the time a learner driver must hold a learner’s permit before being eligible for a probationary licence from six months to a year. Learner drivers under 21 years of age will also need to fulfil 120 hours of supervised driving before applying for their licence.
More information
From the LIV Bookshop
Traffic Offences and Accidents (4th ed), by Douglas Brown, $130
Useful web links
For road safety information visit www.justice.vic.gov.au/roadsafety
Disclaimer: The information in this article is not intended to be a complete statement of the law relating to the issues raised. Accordingly, no person should rely on this information without first obtaining specific advice from Ms Eleanor Coates of our office. | 
