Vehicle Confiscation Laws come into force in South Eastern Police Region: Spence
Published Friday, 30 November, 2007 at 02:32 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Police Minister Judy Spence has warned Gold Coast and Logan drivers who repeatedly flout the law could permanently lose their vehicles under new confiscation laws which come into force tomorrow.
Ms Spence said the tough new vehicle confiscation laws are designed to crackdown on drivers who put themselves or other road users at risk.
“From tomorrow, police in the South East region have the powers to confiscate the vehicles of drivers who repeatedly break the law,” Ms Spence said.
“Those people who repeatedly drink and drive, drive while unlicensed, unregistered or disqualified or repeatedly drive illegally modified vehicles will be stripped of their vehicle.
“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 face the consequences.
“Since the introduction of the new laws at the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba/Ipswich regions in July this year, more than 200 cars have been impounded for 48 hours.
“As we head into the Christmas holiday season, these laws will enable police to take more dangerous drivers off our roads.
“This legislation is about saving lives and will be rolled out statewide by mid-next year."
Regional Traffic Coordinator, Inspector Ron Barry, said the number of fatalities in the Gold Coast and Logan Districts to date is of great concern to police.
“This year, the South Eastern Region, which includes the Gold Coast and Logan areas, has recorded a greater increase in fatalities than any other region in Queensland, with 65 fatalities – 22 more than this time last year.
"The new impoundment laws will see second time offenders have their car impounded for 48 hours while repeat offenders will have their car impounded for three months or forfeited," Inspector Barry said.
“This will give police a broader range of powers to deal with drivers who repeatedly break law, including repeatedly drink and drive and drive while unlicensed.
Ms 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 will have to pay for the storage of their car while it is confiscated and this could cost up to $2000 for three months on top of any penalty imposed by the courts."
Media Contact: Minister’s Office Nicola Hazell 0439 673 287
Police Media: Lisa Taylor (07) 5570 7971/ 0419 711 731
Ms Spence said the tough new vehicle confiscation laws are designed to crackdown on drivers who put themselves or other road users at risk.
“From tomorrow, police in the South East region have the powers to confiscate the vehicles of drivers who repeatedly break the law,” Ms Spence said.
“Those people who repeatedly drink and drive, drive while unlicensed, unregistered or disqualified or repeatedly drive illegally modified vehicles will be stripped of their vehicle.
“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 face the consequences.
“Since the introduction of the new laws at the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba/Ipswich regions in July this year, more than 200 cars have been impounded for 48 hours.
“As we head into the Christmas holiday season, these laws will enable police to take more dangerous drivers off our roads.
“This legislation is about saving lives and will be rolled out statewide by mid-next year."
Regional Traffic Coordinator, Inspector Ron Barry, said the number of fatalities in the Gold Coast and Logan Districts to date is of great concern to police.
“This year, the South Eastern Region, which includes the Gold Coast and Logan areas, has recorded a greater increase in fatalities than any other region in Queensland, with 65 fatalities – 22 more than this time last year.
"The new impoundment laws will see second time offenders have their car impounded for 48 hours while repeat offenders will have their car impounded for three months or forfeited," Inspector Barry said.
“This will give police a broader range of powers to deal with drivers who repeatedly break law, including repeatedly drink and drive and drive while unlicensed.
Ms 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 will have to pay for the storage of their car while it is confiscated and this could cost up to $2000 for three months on top of any penalty imposed by the courts."
Media Contact: Minister’s Office Nicola Hazell 0439 673 287
Police Media: Lisa Taylor (07) 5570 7971/ 0419 711 731