Hoons
Speeding
Hooning
Hooning is the common word we use for any anti-social behaviour conducted in a motor vehicle—a car, van or motorbike—such as speeding, street racing, burnouts and playing loud music from a car stereo.
Hooning includes any number of traffic offences, such as dangerous driving, careless driving, driving without reasonable consideration for other people, driving in a way that makes unnecessary noise or smoke, and racing or conducting speed trials on a public road.
Hoons in action
Accidents caused by hoons
Causing trouble to the public
Types of Hooning
Hooning offences are now classed as either a Type 1 or Type 2 offence. Each Type—group of offences—carries different impound, immobilisation and confiscation penalties.
Type 1 offences are:
- dangerous driving
- careless driving
- organising, promoting or taking part in racing and speed trials
- wilfully starting a motor vehicle or driving in way that makes unnecessary noise or smoke
- evading police.
Type 2 offences are:
- driving a vehicle that is uninsured and unregistered
- driving without a licence or when your licence has been suspended
- high range drink driving—with a blood alcohol level above 0.15%
- exceeding the speed limit by more than 40km/h
- driving a modified vehicle that does not comply with vehicle safety standards
- driving while under a 24 hour suspension order.
For both a Type 1 and a Type 2 offence—depending on the seriousness of the offence—you can be issued an infringement notice, a notice to appear in magistrates court or you may be arrested.
Statistics
MORE than half the drivers who have had cars impounded under anti-hoon legislation were aged between 18 and 21.The statistic has alarmed police, who say motorists in this age group are more likely to be involved in accidents.Acting Sergeant Richard Webster from Bendigo Traffic Management Unit said the rate of young people caught under the law was concerning.‘‘It’s a big worry, given the higher rate at which young drivers are involved in major and fatal vehicle accidents.’’ Last week an unlicensed teenager became the 200th person nabbed by officers since anti-hoon legislation was introduced in September 2006, police said.