MORE THAN 3200 VEHICLES IMPOUNDED UNDER HOONING LAWS

Gold Coast has retained its title as the hooning capital of Queensland, with figures released today showing that more motorists are caught by police for hooning offences than any other region in the state.

Police Minister Judy Spence today released Queensland’s latest hooning figures, revealing that police have impounded 3221 vehicles across Queensland since the tough anti-hooning laws were introduced in November 2002.

“Of these, 714 cars have been impounded on the Gold Coast,” Ms Spence said.

“This accounts for more than 22% of all hooning offences in Queensland.”

Ms Spence said that despite the high figures, there was solid evidence that the laws were working.

“In the past four years, across Queensland just 72 offenders have been caught hooning twice, and only four motorists caught for a third hooning offence.

“This is because confiscations hit hoons where it hurts the most - by taking away their wheels.

“Once a motorist goes through the embarrassment and inconvenience of having their car impounded, they are unlikely to do it again.”

Ms Spence said the anti-hooning laws gave police the power to impound vehicles used for hooning for 48 hours.

“Repeat offenders are realising they could have their car taken off the road for three months or even forfeited to the state after a third or subsequent offence,” Ms Spence said.

Ms Spence said the ‘top five’ hoon hotspots, with total vehicle confiscations from November 2002 to end of December 2006, were:

• 714 vehicles confiscated by police on the Gold Coast;
• 327 vehicles confiscated by police in Logan;
• 243 vehicles confiscated by police in Redcliffe;
• 197 vehicles confiscated by police in Bundaberg;
• 197 vehicles confiscated by police in north Brisbane.

Ms Spence said Charleville and Brisbane Central were the only areas with less than ten vehicle confiscations, with six and nine respectively.

“This government is determined to crack down on irresponsible drivers,” Ms Spence said.

“In November I introduced new legislation to enable police to confiscate the cars of recidivist drink drivers, and those who continue to drive while unregistered, unlicensed and disqualified.

“These new confiscation laws will be piloted for 12 months, starting 1 July 2007, in the Southern and North Coast Police Regions.

“These regions have been selected for the pilot as they have recorded some of the worst road fatalities this year.”

Media contact: Alison Smith 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287