4/09/05
The State Government's tough anti-hoon legislation has been an outstanding success throughout Western Australia, with close to 400 reckless and dangerous drivers having their cars impounded over the last 12 months, according to Community Safety Minister Michelle Roberts.
Mrs Roberts said today, on the first anniversary of the legislation becoming operational, that the anti-hoon laws had been a successful deterrent and ensured that those drivers who displayed a flagrant disregard for road safety did pay a significant price for their actions.
"There is only one way to treat hoons - remove their toys," she said.
"Their reckless, selfish and dangerous behaviour not only threatens their own lives, but other innocent people using the road system.
"All Western Australians have the right to go about their daily lives in a safe and secure environment and the anti-hoon laws are working well in achieving this goal."
Mrs Roberts said the legislation had had a major impact on making communities safer throughout the State, with 392 drivers losing their vehicles for 48 hours. The latest figures over the last 12 months include:
- 233 hoons caught in the metropolitan area;
- 47 hoons nabbed in the Goldfields-Esperance District;
- 34 hoons apprehended in the South-West;
- 31 hoons in the Peel region;
- 25 in both the Mid-West and Gascoyne regions; and
- 22 in the Great Southern.
Mrs Roberts said the anti-hooning legislation had been a very successful deterrent, with only four people offending more than once.
"This proves that the message is getting through to these people that burnouts and dangerous driving practices will be dealt with harshly," she said.
The Minister said proposed changes to the anti-hoon laws would make them even more effective with members of the public being able to lodge a complaint.
"Currently a police officer must witness an offence, but amendments to the legislation will allow compelling evidence to be used in charging hoons in the future," she said.
"Secondly, we will make provisions for people caught doing more than 45kmh above the limit to be charged under the anti-hoon laws and have their vehicles impounded."
Assistant Commissioner Traffic Operations Barbara Etter welcomed the proposed amendments, saying the public would also play a key role in helping to stamp out this behaviour.
"As part of a new Traffic Intelligence Cell that is currently being set up, we will build up a database of suspected hoons and hoon hotspots," the Assistant Commissioner said.
"This will enable us to better target these drivers who engage in dangerous and anti-social behaviour."
Mrs Etter said the anti-hoon laws had proven to be a great weapon for police.
"WA police will continue to treat dangerous and reckless driving as a high priority as we strive to make our roads safer," she said.
Minister's office: 9213 6600
