Hoons hit and it hurts

By Kelly Yates
VICTORIA Police have revealed that 253 motorists in Casey have had their vehicles impounded since the hoon legislation was introduced on 1 July in 2006.
Narre Warren has been ranked third in a breakdown of the top 10 suburbs, with 74 hoons living there.
Endeavour Hills had 38 hoons and Cranbourne, 37.
Hampton Park had 32 hoons recorded while Hallam and Doveton both had 13.
Blind Bight and Devon Meadows both had two hoons while Tooradin had one.
As police mark the second anniversary of the legislation, they have revealed that 10 cars a day are being impounded on average.
Drivers who exceed the speed limit by more than 45km/h, engage in dangerous driving or street race against other motorists are among those who have had to stand by and watch their vehicle being towed away for an initial 48 hours.
Assistant Commissioner for Traffic Ken Lay said the legislation continues to be a success in Victoria.
The results gathered show that 97.7 per cent of offenders are men with 29.1 per cent being aged 22 to 25 years old.
Victorian police have impounded nearly 5000 vehicles since the hoon legislation was implemented.
Trucks were also impounded for the first time during an operation on the Monash Freeway last week.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera said the laws were hitting hoons where it hurts.
“Less than four per cent of hoons re-offend, which shows that the legislation is working to stamp out dangerous driving behaviour,” he said.
Mr Perera said the Crime Stoppers Hoon Hotline was already helping police to target hoons, with more than 300 calls received relating to hoon driving.
“All residents should call the hotline when they see hoon activity in the area so that police can effectively target hot spots,” he said.
“When we brought these in, the Liberals said the first offence should be a warning.
“If we had adopted their stance we would have had 5000 warnings sent out not 5000 cars confiscated.”
Drivers who commit hoon-related offences face having their vehicles seized for 48 hours. Second-time offenders risk losing their vehicles for three months while third-time offenders can lose their vehicles permanently.
Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said Victoria’s hoon drivers are getting off lightly.
He said the Labor Party refused to toughen the anti-hoon legislation.
“Since 2006 we have seen the number of hoon driving offences increase from 120 a month to nearly 280 a month, showing these laws have not deterred offenders,” he said.
“Hoon driving is Victoria’s fastest growing popular sport and having your car confiscated for 48 hours is now seen as a badge of honour.”