10 Mar Hooning isn’t Sweet or Awesome
What is hooning?
Hooning (not a legal term) covers things like
- Speeding
- Drag racing
- Doughnuts
- Burnouts
- Burning rubber
- Driving in a reckless way
What happens if I am convicted of driving like a hoon?
Chances are you will be:
- Fined
- Disqualified from driving for a period.
Remember, being disqualified from driving can impact your employment if you are required to drive.
Also, the car you were driving can be impounded, even if it isn’t your car.
Having your car impounded
Under the Road Traffic Act 1974, the police can impound vehicles that:
- Are being driven in a reckless or dangerous manner, such as racing another vehicle.
- Causing undue smoke (burning rubber) or noise.
- Driving @ 45km or more over the speed limit; or
- Driving at or over 155km.
Vehicles can also be impounded for other offences not related to hooning.
What happens if the vehicle I was driving is impounded?
- You are responsible for the cost of towing the vehicle to a storage area.
- You are responsible for paying the cost of storing the vehicle. For a 28-day period in the metropolitan area, that can be more than $900. If you can’t pay these costs, the vehicle may not be released.
I lent my car to my friend, and they were driving when it was impounded, can I get it out of storage early?
- You won’t be granted early release of your vehicle on the grounds you voluntarily lent it to a friend, relative or other person.
- The person convicted of a driving offence while using your car is responsible for paying the costs associated with impoundment. However, you will need to pay the bill when you pick up your car from the storage yard.
Hooning isn’t sweet or awesome.
It’s dangerous, expensive and can change your life in not a good way.