Vehicle impoundment legislation, commonly known as ‘hoon legislation’ is effective from 12.01 am, Saturday 1 July 2006.

Reminding motorists of the imminent legislation, Assistant Commissioner (Traffic) Noel Ashby said the aims were to enhance road safety.

“Primarily, this legislation aims to deter drivers from dangerous and anti-social driving behaviours,” he said.

“Police expect the threat of seizing and impounding a car for a period of two days will deter drivers from dangerous behaviour."

Mr Ashby said that police officers could impound vehicles if the driver was detected committing any of the below offences:

• participation in a race or speed trial
• dangerous driving committed in circumstances involving intentional loss of traction
• careless driving
• failure to have proper control of the motor vehicle
• causing a motor vehicle to make excessive noise or smoke
• exceeding the speed limit by 45 kph or more
• travelling at 145 kph or more in a 110 kph zone
• intentionally drive in a manner to cause loss of traction to one or more wheels
• driving while disqualified

“All of these offences are dangerous and deliberately committed. Drivers consciously decide to commit these offences and they will now face very serious consequences as a result,” Mr Ashby said.

When a driver is detected committing any of the above offences, a police officer may choose to immediately seize the vehicle, or serve the driver a notice to surrender. The latter gives the driver ten days to surrender the vehicle for impoundment. Vehicles will be impounded for 48 hours.

Mr Ashby said despite its ‘hoon’ reputation, this legislation applies to all Victorian motorists.

“Not all the applicable offences apply to hoon drivers. Motorists should note that they could have their vehicle impounded for driving whilst disqualified,” he said.

In addition to losing their vehicles for two days, drivers must also pay the cost of the towing and the storage for the impoundment when collecting their vehicle.

Following the introduction of this legislation, police will focus on particular areas where these offences are known to be problematic (however these locations will not be publicly released).

For further information about the vehicle impoundment legislation, please visit the below link.

Michelle Alexander
Media Officer