22 CARS IMPOUNDED IN FIRST MONTH OF NEW LAWS: SPENCE
Published Wednesday, 08 August, 2007 at 10:57 AM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
22 cars have been impounded since the State Government’s tough new car confiscation laws came into force on July 1, Police Minister Judy Spence said today.
Ms Spence said of those impoundments, 18 were for unlicenced or disqualified driving.
“These new laws allow police to impound the vehicles of drivers repeatedly caught drink driving, driving while unlicensed, disqualified or unregistered, or driving illegally modified cars,” Ms Spence said.
“Already they are proving effective, with 22 vehicles confiscated during the first month of the 12 month pilot in the North Coast and Southern regions.”
Ms Spence said under the new laws anyone caught committing the specific offences a second time in three years will have their car confiscated for 48 hours. A third offence could see their car impounded for 3 months and if they are caught a fourth time they could lose their car forever.
“Police have already detected one person allegedly driving unlicensed on 4 separate occasions, in the Ipswich area,” Ms Spence said.
“On the first occasion on July 8, the man was allegedly driving in his own vehicle and was issued with a Notice to Appear.
“He was allegedly again detected driving his own vehicle on July 9. He was issued another notice and the vehicle was impounded for 48 hours.
“On July 11 he was allegedly detected driving in a work vehicle, as his was still impounded.
“After collecting his own vehicle and paying $251.60 for storage, he was again allegedly detected driving in his vehicle on July 22.
“Police immediately impounded the vehicle again for 48 hours and an application has now been made to the court to have this person’s vehicle forfeited to the state.”
“Three other people in the North Coast region have also been caught driving unlicensed 3 times and they could lose their cars for 3 months.”
Ms Spence said Queensland taxpayers are not being lumped with the bill for the storage of cars taken from drivers who repeatedly break the law.
“These drivers have had to pay a minimum of around $250 to get their cars out of storage,” Ms Spence said.
“This is on top of any penalty imposed by a court, and drivers who lose their cars for three months could be slugged with a bill as high as $2000.”
Ms Spence said it’s hoped the tough new penalties will act as a deterrent to irresponsible motorists, and help to curb the tragic loss of life on Queensland’s roads.
“These laws send a clear message to drivers – if you repeatedly break the law on our roads you will lose your vehicle,” Ms Spence said.
“We will not tolerate dangerous and irresponsible behaviour behind the wheel and we will continue to crack down on those drivers who put the lives of others at risk.”
“At the conclusion of the 12 month pilot the laws will be rolled out statewide, with Queensland Police also preparing to introduce the laws early in the South Eastern region, which includes the Gold Coast, by the end of the year.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218/ 0439 673 287
Ms Spence said of those impoundments, 18 were for unlicenced or disqualified driving.
“These new laws allow police to impound the vehicles of drivers repeatedly caught drink driving, driving while unlicensed, disqualified or unregistered, or driving illegally modified cars,” Ms Spence said.
“Already they are proving effective, with 22 vehicles confiscated during the first month of the 12 month pilot in the North Coast and Southern regions.”
Ms Spence said under the new laws anyone caught committing the specific offences a second time in three years will have their car confiscated for 48 hours. A third offence could see their car impounded for 3 months and if they are caught a fourth time they could lose their car forever.
“Police have already detected one person allegedly driving unlicensed on 4 separate occasions, in the Ipswich area,” Ms Spence said.
“On the first occasion on July 8, the man was allegedly driving in his own vehicle and was issued with a Notice to Appear.
“He was allegedly again detected driving his own vehicle on July 9. He was issued another notice and the vehicle was impounded for 48 hours.
“On July 11 he was allegedly detected driving in a work vehicle, as his was still impounded.
“After collecting his own vehicle and paying $251.60 for storage, he was again allegedly detected driving in his vehicle on July 22.
“Police immediately impounded the vehicle again for 48 hours and an application has now been made to the court to have this person’s vehicle forfeited to the state.”
“Three other people in the North Coast region have also been caught driving unlicensed 3 times and they could lose their cars for 3 months.”
Ms Spence said Queensland taxpayers are not being lumped with the bill for the storage of cars taken from drivers who repeatedly break the law.
“These drivers have had to pay a minimum of around $250 to get their cars out of storage,” Ms Spence said.
“This is on top of any penalty imposed by a court, and drivers who lose their cars for three months could be slugged with a bill as high as $2000.”
Ms Spence said it’s hoped the tough new penalties will act as a deterrent to irresponsible motorists, and help to curb the tragic loss of life on Queensland’s roads.
“These laws send a clear message to drivers – if you repeatedly break the law on our roads you will lose your vehicle,” Ms Spence said.
“We will not tolerate dangerous and irresponsible behaviour behind the wheel and we will continue to crack down on those drivers who put the lives of others at risk.”
“At the conclusion of the 12 month pilot the laws will be rolled out statewide, with Queensland Police also preparing to introduce the laws early in the South Eastern region, which includes the Gold Coast, by the end of the year.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218/ 0439 673 287