29/2/2004
Reckless and dangerous drivers risk having their cars impounded and their driver's licences suspended under the State Government's tough new 'anti-hoon' laws.
Community Safety Minister Michelle Roberts said the new laws, to be introduced into Parliament within weeks, would ensure those drivers who displayed a flagrant disregard for road safety would pay a significant price for their actions.
"These hoons have no respect for the law or other people in the community," Mrs Roberts 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 I welcome these measures to ensure these people are removed from our streets."
The Minister said there had been 60 deaths during the last 12 months, which were related to dangerous and reckless driving. Seven of those deaths occurred in a six-week period.
"In one incident, the two young occupants of a car were travelling at more than 160kmh down a freeway before the driver lost control and crashed into an embankment," she said.
Mrs Roberts said there were hundreds of drivers throughout the metropolitan area who regularly terrorised their local communities through street racing, doing 'burnouts' and conducting time trials.
"Up to 300 vehicles at a time have been reported at the Scarborough Beach carpark, where oil has been poured on the road to assist vehicles to do 'burnouts'," she said.
"There is only one law that these people understand - remove their privileges to drive on our roads."
Under the new laws:
- people caught racing their cars or doing burnouts will have their vehicles seized and impounded for up to 48 hours;
- if a second offence occurs, the car is impounded for up to three months and the driver's licence could be suspended;
- if there is a third offence, the vehicle is forfeited and the driver's licence could be cancelled; and
- drivers caught travelling 45kmh or more above the legal limit also risk having their driver's licences cancelled.
Mrs Roberts said combating speeding drivers was a major factor in drafting the new laws.
"During the 'double demerits' long weekends (42 days) in 2002-2003, police detected more than 100 people speeding at more than 45kmh over the limit," she said.
"The most excessive speed was nearly 100kmh over the legal limit and the highest was 122kmh in a 50kmh zone."
The Minister said the tough new 'anti-hoon laws' demonstrated clearly that the State Government would not tolerate any type of dangerous driving behaviour on the roads.
The 'anti-hoon' laws were an important part of the State Government's road safety strategy.
"Our Government is committed to making our communities safe and secure and removing hoon drivers from the streets will not only save their lives, but the lives of other road users," Mrs Roberts said.
Minister's office: 9213 6600
