Spence: Nearly 1,500 cars confiscated – now laws go state wide

Police Minister Judy Spence today warned repeat offenders that car confiscation laws go state wide from Tuesday July 1, after a trial in which nearly 1,500 cars were confiscated.

Ms Spence said: “Repeat offenders beware – flout the law and you could lose your vehicle for 48 hours for the first repeat offence, up to three months for a second repeat offence, or permanently for a third repeat offence.

“These laws have been trialled in the Southern Region and the North Coast Region (from 1 July 2007) and the South Eastern Region (from 1 December 2007).

“By the end of May, four people had their vehicles permanently forfeited, 39 people had lost their vehicles for up to three months, and 1,462 people had their vehicles impounded for 48 hours.

“Not only do offenders face the inconvenience of losing their vehicle they have to pay the towing and holding fees.

“With the laws state wide we anticipate confiscating thousands of vehicles each year mainly from unlicensed or disqualified drivers.

“That is unless they learn their lesson.

“It can cost up to $255 to tow a vehicle to a holding yard and $1,000s in fees if vehicles are in storage for months.

“My message to repeat offenders is – you will be caught, you will be fined, you will lose your vehicle and you will incur serious costs,” Ms Spence said.

The Type 2 hoon laws target repeat offenders who are charged with multiple offences in one of 5 categories:

• Driving an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle
• Driving whilst unlicensed or disqualified
• Drink driving over 0.15%
• Failing to supply a specimen of breath or blood, or driving under 24 hour suspension
• Driving an illegally modified vehicle.

Of the vehicles impounded to date, 1,297 or nearly 90%, have been for repeat unlicensed or disqualified offences.

Ms Spence said the Type 2 hoon laws are benefiting students on the Gold Coast.

“The Queensland Police Service is today donating two vehicles, seized under the new laws, to the Palm Beach Currumbin State High School.

“Students will work on the cars as part of their automotive classes.

“The vehicles, a Holden Commodore and a Ford Falcon station wagon, were seized for 48 hours.

“Both drivers didn’t have the money to collect the vehicles from storage and relinquished ownership to police.

“The vehicles were valued at less than $500 each and police decided to donate them to the school,” Ms Spence said.

The Type 2 laws are in addition to Type 1 hoon legislation which targets offenders caught committing a street race, time trial or burn out.

Since November 2002, 4649 vehicles have been impounded for 48 hours under type 1 laws. Offenders seem to learn their lesson because there have only been 91 vehicles impounded for a second offence and 9 impounded for a third offence.

Details of 4 vehicles forfeited to the state under type 2 laws.

1)A 17 year old male from Ipswich (Southern Region) had a 1988 Mitsubishi Magna forfeited to the state as a result of repeat unlicensed driving. The vehicle sold for scrap metal.

2)A 52 year old woman from Redcliffe (North Coast Region) had a 1990 Ford Sedan forfeited to the state as a result of repeat unlicensed driving. The vehicle has minimal value and will probably be given to the towing yard in lieu of fees.

3)A 41 year old male from Nambour (North Coast Region) had a 1986 Toyota Hilux forfeited to the state as a result of repeat disqualified driving. The vehicle is awaiting auction.

4)A 19 year old male from Crestmead (South Eastern Region) had a 1990 Nissan Terrano forfeited to the state as a result of repeat unlicensed driving. This vehicle is awaiting public auction scheduled for 29^th July, 2008.

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