Tough break for hoons

By Nicole Williams
NEW dangerous driving legislation could put Greater Dandenong hoons in a spin.
The new hoon laws came into force on Friday, giving police on-the-spot power to impound vehicles for 30 days, instead of 48 hours under the previous legislation.
Greater Dandenong Highway Patrol Acting Senior Sergeant Scott Roberts said the new laws were a positive step.
“Anything that is going to deter this sort of behaviour has got to be a positive thing,” Acting Sen Sgt Roberts said.
“I’m hoping its going to be a deterrent across the board.”
Hoon offences now also include repeat drink, drug and unlicensed drivers and overloading a vehicle with passengers.
Repeat offenders will also face court where they risk losing their vehicles for a further three months or having the vehicle seized permanently.
Acting Sen Sgt Roberts said he hoped including new offences under the legislation would discourage dangerous drivers.
“Where you’ve got offences such as driving when disqualified, which is more of a premeditated action; in those circumstances they may consider the additional sanction,” he said.
“But people doing ridiculous speeds or burn outs, they just don’t think.”
Springvale Police impounded its first vehicle under the new laws on Friday night. A 58-year-old Blind Blight woman was driving while disqualified when intercepted in Cleeland Street, Dandenong at 9pm.
She lost her car for a month, was fined $836 and will face court.
Greater Dandenong was highlighted by Victoria Police as a top five area where hoon offences occurred in the past five years.
Acting Sen Sgt Roberts agreed the Dandenong Highway Patrol did ‘a lot of impounds’.
“It’s socially unacceptable and at the very the least, they just don’t understand what can happen when they decide to drive at ridiculous speeds,” Acting Sen Sgt Roberts said.
“If they’re prepared to act in his way then they’re going to get the sanction and face the prospect of not facing a car for 30 days.”
Dandenong was ranked fifth behind Hume, Brimbank, Bendigo and Whittlesea.