Published Thursday, 11 September, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Spence: Vehicle confiscation laws stopping hoons in their tracks
More than 2,400 vehicles have been impounded under Queensland’s tough new vehicle confiscation laws, Minister for Police and Corrective Services Judy Spence announced today.
Ms Spence said the new laws, which have applied state-wide since July, were keeping dangerous drivers off Queensland roads.
“In the first month of Type 2 confiscation laws going state-wide, police confiscated more than 500 vehicles – in addition to the 1500 vehicles confiscated during the regional trial period,” Ms Spence said.
“By the end of August, the total number of vehicles impounded across the state was 2,402.
“Of these, 387 vehicles are eligible for up to 3 months impoundment, and 6 vehicles have been forfeited to the state.”
Ms Spence said it wasn’t just cars being impounded – a truck, bus and dozens of motorbikes have also been confiscated.
Police confiscate vehicles for repeat offenders who drive an unregistered and uninsured vehicle; drive while unlicensed or disqualified; high-level drink drive; fail to supply a specimen of breath or blood; drive under a 24-hour suspension; or drive an illegally modified vehicle.
“Get caught twice for the same offence and police can impound your vehicle for 48 hours, get caught 3 times and your vehicle can be taken for up to three months, get caught 4 times and you can lose your vehicle permanently,” Ms Spence said.
“The Bligh Government will not tolerate drivers who have complete disregard for the law and other road users.
“We know these drivers are over-represented in crashes so Police are taking vehicles away from these dangerous drivers and making our roads safer.”
Ms Spence said that in many instances, Police were also getting unroadworthy vehicles off the road.
The State Government’s Type 1 anti-hoon legislation came in late 2002 and continues remove hooligans from our roads.
Under this legislation close to 5000 cars have been confiscated.
“Hoons are getting the message with there only being 93 second offences and 10 third offences,” Ms Spence said.
“You can loose you vehicle for dangerous driving, careless driving, racing and speed trials, or burnouts and unnecessary noise.”
Media contact: (07) 3239 6172
Ms Spence said the new laws, which have applied state-wide since July, were keeping dangerous drivers off Queensland roads.
“In the first month of Type 2 confiscation laws going state-wide, police confiscated more than 500 vehicles – in addition to the 1500 vehicles confiscated during the regional trial period,” Ms Spence said.
“By the end of August, the total number of vehicles impounded across the state was 2,402.
“Of these, 387 vehicles are eligible for up to 3 months impoundment, and 6 vehicles have been forfeited to the state.”
Ms Spence said it wasn’t just cars being impounded – a truck, bus and dozens of motorbikes have also been confiscated.
Police confiscate vehicles for repeat offenders who drive an unregistered and uninsured vehicle; drive while unlicensed or disqualified; high-level drink drive; fail to supply a specimen of breath or blood; drive under a 24-hour suspension; or drive an illegally modified vehicle.
“Get caught twice for the same offence and police can impound your vehicle for 48 hours, get caught 3 times and your vehicle can be taken for up to three months, get caught 4 times and you can lose your vehicle permanently,” Ms Spence said.
“The Bligh Government will not tolerate drivers who have complete disregard for the law and other road users.
“We know these drivers are over-represented in crashes so Police are taking vehicles away from these dangerous drivers and making our roads safer.”
Ms Spence said that in many instances, Police were also getting unroadworthy vehicles off the road.
The State Government’s Type 1 anti-hoon legislation came in late 2002 and continues remove hooligans from our roads.
Under this legislation close to 5000 cars have been confiscated.
“Hoons are getting the message with there only being 93 second offences and 10 third offences,” Ms Spence said.
“You can loose you vehicle for dangerous driving, careless driving, racing and speed trials, or burnouts and unnecessary noise.”
Media contact: (07) 3239 6172