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Saturday July 31, 2010

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Ted Baillieu's road hoon plan

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 22 January, 2010 - 12:43 PM
Ted Baillieu has fire a shot ahead of this year's election

A Ted Baillieu-led Liberal State Government would introduce tough new anti-hoon laws to reduce the damage to Victorian families caused by reckless driving and anti-social behaviour.

Victorian Coalition Leader Ted Baillieu and Shadow Police Minister Peter Ryan released their plans on Friday as hot debate rages as to what measures should be taken in light of a series of road fatalities this week.

"The Coalition's zero tolerance anti-hoon plan will make our roads and suburban streets safer by introducing tough new penalties and crushing hoon cars," Baillieu said.

A Baillieu Government says it would introduce tough new anti-hoon laws, including:

- Immediate 30-day vehicle impoundment for a first hoon offence, and requirement that a safe driving course is completed by offender;

- Up to three months impoundment for a second offence;

- Forfeiture and crushing of vehicles for a third offence after parts are stripped and sold.

"Even Victoria Police admit that (Premier) John Brumby's current laws are failing to break Victoria's hoon culture," Baillieu said.

"With John Brumby's laws only allowing for a 48-hour confiscation of hoon vehicles, hoons in Victoria can lose their cars on Friday night, only to pick them up on Monday morning."

"Victorians need a strong zero tolerance approach to hoon driving."

Vehicles will be stripped of parts and crushed, or destroyed by the Transport Accident Commission as part of its ongoing testing and education programs before being crushed.

Baillieu also revealed the Coalition wanted to give drivers better safety skills and education in road safety. The plan will include a compulsory safe driving course for offenders, requiring them to undertake instruction to learn and understand risks of speed, roads, traffic and dangers to other road users.

Existing provisions allowing third parties to apply to vary or revoke impoundment orders will continue to apply.

In short, these provisions give a wide range of protections for third parties, including:

- Impounding and forfeiture not applying for stolen or hired vehicles;

- Provision for exceptional hardship cases; and

- No forfeiture if the registered operator or owner of a vehicle can prove the offence was committed without their knowledge or consent.

Idiots in the spotlight after funeral

Mill Park Two idiots caught driving with nearly six times as much alcohol allowed in their system as mourners of Mill Park crash victim arguably lose sight of the real issue, instead taking their grief out on people trying to stop this madness ever happening again.


'Speed limiters' to be implemented?

Speedometer After Premier Brumby broke the news the government will consider speed limiting devices for cars in light of the Mill Park tragedy, VicRoads' David Shelton explains how the devices work. Have a listen and decide whether you think this is a good idea.

Blog comments Your Say

  • Politicians are only talking about crushing hoon cars - they forgot to introduce the same rules for drunk drivers. What a pity.

    Arthur Sunday 24 January, 2010 - 12:50 AM

  • Is Ted Baillieu a politician ?

    col Saturday 23 January, 2010 - 12:06 PM

  • Oh Joey, you idiot. Regardless of the finance of the car, the loan would still need to be paid, or the car returned to the financier, that is how it works. Learn to read the article. Third parties are exempt. A bank, would be a third party. Good policy, time for a big shake up.

    Bob Friday 22 January, 2010 - 10:19 PM

  • These guys were blind drunk. Your all talking educating, driver training, fines, user pays, crush blah blah.
    This kid was blind drunk, driving at high speeds......
    Your Always going to get the same result, when this happens.

    Sandy Friday 22 January, 2010 - 6:03 PM

  • I don't know whats worse... the deaths of people on the roads or the politicians trying to score cheap political points because of it

    Keith Friday 22 January, 2010 - 4:10 PM

  • I notice the politicians like Ted Baillieu will only come up with continued revenue raising solutions. FINE THEM MORE - how rediculous. IT DOESNT WORK. So long as the kids are breaking the law, the fines still exist. Hey TED what about having EVERY first year P plater's vehicle being fitted with a 60km speed restricter. Then in year 2 - 70km and so on, SIMPLE, if they are caught driving a car not fitted, like mums car, mum needs to know her car WILL be crushed. Whats wrong with actually changing laws and making SURE that inexperienced new drivers (our kids) JUST CANT SPEED. Their cars simply cant do the speed, that would severely effect the amount of money we are making on them. I would like to see the statistics on how much money we actually make out of kids directly related to fines and speeding. THATS the real issue isnt it? Because the real solution is simple - remove the loaded gun. Neil Mitchell stand up and be counted. We don't need any more political puppets.

    marie Friday 22 January, 2010 - 2:48 PM

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