/ 3000th car impounded under hoon laws, Bendigo named hoon capital

Sarah Wotherspoon



December 15, 2008 10:45am



POLICE have impounded 3000 cars this year under the state's hoon laws and revealed the hoon capital of Victoria.



A 19-year-old Preston P-Plater yesterday became the 3000th Victorian to have his car impounded this year under the hoon legislation after police nabbed him doing burnouts in Cramer and Jesse Sts Preston.



Inspector Tom McGillian said it was the first time since the laws were introduced in July 2006 that police had impounded 3000 cars in a calendar year.



Police impounded cars at a rate of 68 per week this year, a 15 per cent increase on 2007.



"This is a legislative tool that police have enjoyed using to remove dangerous drivers from our roads and have become increasingly more confident in its application," Insp McGillian said.



Of those impounded this year, 120 were in Bendigo, making it the hoon capital of Victoria ahead of Broadmeadows and Frankston, which both had 83 hoon cars seized.



Werribee had the third highest rate with 80 cars impounded, followed by Fawkner (72) and Keilor Downs (69).



"There is a strong belief that there are significant road safety benefits by removing the ability for idiot drivers to commit these offences," Insp McGillian said.



"The community support for vehicle impoundment has continued to increase and police receive a high number of public reports each week about hoon activity in local areas."



Insp McGillian said yesterday seizure of a 1984 yellow Toyota Corolla took the total number of cars impounded since 2006 to 6409.



Police figures released today show 38 per cent of impoundments were the result of drivers speeding at more than 45km/h over the speed limit, while 97 per cent of those caught were men.



P-Platers were also more likely to have their cars impounded than fully licensed drivers.