10 Sep

Tougher anti-hooning laws announced

On 18 July 2011, the Queensland government announced that it would be introducing tougher anti-hooning laws.According to the media statement, hoons and repeat dangerous drivers will lose their vehicles for seven days for their first impoundment offence (the current period is two days). A second impoundment offence will result in an automatic 28 day impoundment and subsequent offences can result in vehicles being impounded for three months or forfeited to the State.

The changes to the impoundment laws are set out below.

Type 1 Hooning Offences
Current Penalty Proposed Penalty
First Offence Fine & immediate impoundment for 48 hours Fine & immediate impoundment for 7 days
Second Offence Fine & immediate impoundment for 48 hours & application to court for 3 month impoundment Fine & immediate impoundment for 28 days & application to court for 3 month impoundment
Subsequent Offences Fine & immediate impoundment for 48 hours & application to court for forfeiture 28 days immediate impoundment & application to court for forfeiture
Type 2 Dangerous Driving Offences
Current Penalty Proposed Penalty
First Offence Fine Fine
Second Offence Fine & immediate impoundment for 48 hours Fine and 7 day impoundment
Third Offence Fine & immediate impoundment for 48 hours & application to court for 3 month impoundment 28 days immediate impoundment & application to court for 3 month impoundment
Subsequent Offences Fine & immediate impoundment for 48 hours & application to court for forfeiture 28 days immediate impoundment & application to court for forfeiture

The date for when these changes will become effective has not been released, but they are expected to come into force in late 2011.

Call: (07) 3180 0140