Tuesday 26th October 2004

Hooning could become illegal

Oz state reckons it's anti-social

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Is hooning about to become illegal in Oz? According to the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC), recently announced plans to legislate to black-list anti-social drivers will fail and tie up police resources. They could become law within months.

The laws target anti-social driving and offences such as excess noise, illegal street-racing, burn-outs, and refusal to leave a public place. The VACC on the other hand reckons that the government should look into providing safe areas for motorists who want to be a "bit of a lair", and that new laws could become an excuse to demonise young people.

Instead, the VACC said, any proposed legislation should focus on eliminating the dangers of drag racing, burn-outs, doughnuts and other 'risk-taking behaviours'. "Cars are a celebrated part of our culture", said VACC spokesman David Russell.

Other Australian states that have adopted similar laws include New South Wales, where over 2,000 offenders' cars have been seized, and Queensland: 1,400 cars.

The UK government has yet to pronounce on the issue but you don't have to work too hard to figure out what the current, highly illiberal regime would say...

[cdp]

What do they mean by "excessive noise"? Surely if the car passes an MOT it isn't excessive. Or do they mean stereos.

In anycase couldn't you argue that a neighbour's dog or even the neighbour could count as excessively noisey and deserve impounding.

I have always wondered what happens if they try to impound a company/hired/borrowed/stolen car.

In anycase I think the UK drivers are already covered by consideration for other road users + careless/dangerous/reckless driving and a whole collection of other laws.

Even so having plenty of laws won't stop Tony from introducing a few more. Also I guess that a previous speeding conviction (maybe years previous) might count as evidence against you in court if anybody is accused.

I guess the government will eventually change it to "We believe you may commit the following offences some time in the future" as a valid reason to convict.