December 4, 2013 at 8:17 am
In the 30 days since tough new vehicle impoundment and road safety legislation came into effect, 4,849 incidents have been detected by police with 879 vehicles either impounded or had number plates confiscated.
Queensland Police Service Commissioner Ian Stewart said police remained committed to making Queensland roads safer and reducing the road toll.
“We applaud the majority of Queenslanders who are law abiding; have legally modified vehicles and take care on our roads.
“879 vehicles have been taken off our roads. The drivers of these vehicles were repeat offenders. They went too far, didn’t listen and they didn’t want to learn. They continued engaging in high risk driving behaviours and endangering all other road users.
“The message is getting out there – go too far lose your car. We will not tolerate the lives of Queensland motorists being risked because other drivers think they can continually flaunt the road rules.”
Acting Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating from the Road Policing Command said the new legislation is already showing dividends.
“In one month we have seen significant numbers of drivers charged with hooning related offences, and a substantial number of vehicles taken off the roads for repeat offences.
“The new legislation is affecting a small minority of motorists who think they are above the law where it hurts the most – by impounding their cars. As any police officer will tell you – take away the means to commit an offence and you greatly reduce the likelihood of it happening.
“This legislation focuses on typical hooning behaviour. While other offences are included under this new legislation, the consequence of impoundment is an addition to the already existing harsh penalties of hefty fines, licence suspensions and prison sentences for dangerous driving behaviour such as high range drink driving.
“Queensland roads, and every person who uses them, must be safer by removing vehicles that would otherwise be driven recklessly or dangerously,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Keating said.
The legislative changes reflect the crack down on all anti-social and unsafe road behaviours. Offences are broken into two categories, Type 1 and Type 2, and the changes include:
Type 1 offences:
• 90 day vehicle impoundment for first offence (dangerous operation or careless driving such as burn-outs or drifting; racing, speed trials and evade police).
• Towing and storage of impounded vehicle is at the driver’s expense.
• Vehicle liable for forfeiture for second offence.
• 90 day vehicle impoundment for first offence (dangerous operation or careless driving such as burn-outs or drifting; racing, speed trials and evade police).
• Towing and storage of impounded vehicle is at the driver’s expense.
• Vehicle liable for forfeiture for second offence.
Type 2 offences:
• Infringement notice, notice to appear or arrested for first offence (such as, unlicensed driving, high range drink driving, exceeding speed limit by more than 40km/hr, driving a vehicle that is both uninsured and unregistered, and non-compliance with vehicle standards and safety regulations). Your vehicle will not be impounded or immobilised.
• 7 day impoundment or immobilisation for second offence.
• 90 days impoundment or immobilisation for third offence.
• Vehicle liable for forfeiture on subsequent offence.
• Infringement notice, notice to appear or arrested for first offence (such as, unlicensed driving, high range drink driving, exceeding speed limit by more than 40km/hr, driving a vehicle that is both uninsured and unregistered, and non-compliance with vehicle standards and safety regulations). Your vehicle will not be impounded or immobilised.
• 7 day impoundment or immobilisation for second offence.
• 90 days impoundment or immobilisation for third offence.
• Vehicle liable for forfeiture on subsequent offence.
Appeal provisions include:
• Under certain circumstances the owner or usual driver of the impounded or immobilised vehicle may make application to the Commissioner of Police for early release (e.g. severe hardship, offence occurred without owners consent).
• Drivers committing first Type 2 offence will be provided with information regarding consequences of committing further offences.
• Under certain circumstances the owner or usual driver of the impounded or immobilised vehicle may make application to the Commissioner of Police for early release (e.g. severe hardship, offence occurred without owners consent).
• Drivers committing first Type 2 offence will be provided with information regarding consequences of committing further offences.
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.
