Vehicle Confiscation Laws to Target Gold Coast & Logan

Gold Coast and Logan drivers who repeatedly break the law could permanently lose their vehicles under new confiscation laws that come into effect on December 1.

Premier Anna Bligh said the tough new vehicle confiscation laws - which have been in place on the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba/Ipswich regions since July - were designed to crackdown on drivers who refused to abide by driving laws.

“These tough laws send a very clear message – if you repeatedly drink drive, drive while unlicensed, unregistered or uninsured or if you drive illegally modified vehicles – you could face losing your car for good,” Ms Bligh said.

“Since the introduction of the new laws in the North Coast and Southern Police Regions in July this year, more than 200 cars have been impounded for 48 hours.

“The laws were introduced into these two regions first, because they had highest road tolls in recent years.

“This year, the South-Eastern Police Region, encompassing the Gold Coast and Logan, has recorded a greater increase in fatalities than any other region in Queensland, with 64 fatalities – 22 more than this time last year.

“By extending the laws to the Gold Coast and Logan ahead of schedule, we are enabling police to take more dangerous drivers off our roads, as we head into the Christmas holiday period,” she said.

Ms Bligh said under the laws, drivers who repeatedly break the law are stripped of their vehicle.

“Anyone committing these offences twice in three years will have their car impounded for 48 hours. If they commit a third offence, they risk losing their vehicle for three months, and serial offenders will permanently lose their car.

“This legislation is about saving lives and will be rolled out statewide by mid-next year,” Ms Bligh said.

Police Minister Judy Spence said cars permanently forfeited to the state would be sold off.

“The money made from the sale of these vehicles will go towards paying creditors and any remaining profits will go in to consolidated revenue for funding road safety initiatives,” Ms Spence said.

“As an additional consequence, offenders who have their vehicles confiscated are forced to pay for towing and storage costs – we will not force taxpayers to foot the bill for these irresponsible drivers,” she said.

Ms Bligh said the introduction of the new laws in the area would add to existing anti-hooning powers, allowing police to confiscate the vehicles of drivers caught for offences such as burnouts and street racing.

“We are determined to do everything we can to reduce the senseless loss of lives on Queensland roads,” Ms Bligh said.

“The message to drivers in the Gold Coast and Logan areas is clear – if you play Russian Roulette with the lives of other road users, you will suffer the consequences.

“We do not tolerate reckless and deadly behaviour on our roads.”

Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3239 6172 (Minister Spence’s office)

Confiscation breakdown:

(As at 6/11/07)