Burnout blessing

By Shaun Inguanzo
THE MINISTER who introduced anti-hoon laws into Victoria has thrown his support behind a burnout and drag-racing event often targeted by Dandenong traffic police.
Police and Emergency Services Minister and Lyndhurst MP Tim Holding said this week he had ‘no problem’ with the annual EasterNats competition at Sandown.
“This is as long as motorists drive responsibly getting there, leaving there and around the venue,” he said.
Local traffic police blitzed the EasterNats last April, handing out 85 defect notices and 26 penalty notices to motorists leaving the burnout and drag-racing event.
Police found seven unregistered vehicles, four disqualified or suspended drivers and five unlicensed drivers.
They also booked a motorist who drove a car fitted with nitrous oxide to boost power.
This week Dandenong Traffic Management Unit senior sergeant Alan Dew said many of the motorists could have lost their vehicles had new hoon laws that allowed police to impound cars been in force at the time.
A spokesperson for Mr Holding said the police minister gave the event the two thumbs up.
“He has no problem with it as long as people drive responsibly.”
Meanwhile, Sen Sgt Dew said police in Dandenong began enforcing the new anti-hoon laws mid July and had so far impounded three cars.
He said these included a man driving his parents’ car along Princes Highway Noble Park and two other drivers along Stud Road and Cheltenham Road.
Each of the three motorists were caught doing 50km/h or more over the speed limit.
The cars were then taken to Essendon Airport and the drivers charged a $490 impoundment fee.
“Police expect that the threat of seizing and impounding a car for a period of 48 hours will deter drivers from dangerous behaviour,” he said.