Hoon countdown!

By Kath Gannaway
YARRA Ranges police will soon have the tools, in the words of Police Minister Bob Cameron, to “hit hoons where it hurts most … by taking away their vehicle”.
While Mr Cameron earlier this month welcomed the first permanent forfeit of a vehicle under the government’s tough anti-hoon laws introduced in July 2006, police in the Yarra Valley have not been able to impound vehicles.
However, Inspector Roger Williams, of Victoria Police’s Logistical Support Branch (LSB), last week told the Mail the ability of local police to call in the tow trucks was “imminent”.
The Mail reported in February that police had their hands tied because no towing contractors had signed up to provide towing and impoundment facilities in the Yarra Valley.
Healesville Police have recently charged at least three drivers with offences which they say would have resulted in impoundment.
One driver was 56km/h over the 60km/h limit, another was charged with 13 offences for what police described as “basically hoonish behaviour” and another was charged with seven offences including dangerous driving, speeding and failing to stop at a stop sign.
The Mail spoke with a number of tow-truck operators in the Upper Yarra and Healesville area last week who said they had recently made submissions for contracts and were waiting to hear back from LSB.
A spokesperson for one towing company which submitted its application in March did not want to be identified but said it was not only police but the community who were keen to see the anti-hoon legislation used in the valley.
“We’ve had a positive response when we’ve mentioned we have put in for it,” he said. “We get a lot of speeders along the highway and people want these hoons slowed down.
“The public are asking ‘what’s happening with these hoon laws’, and I know our local police and the TOGs (Traffic Operation Group) from Mt Evelyn are itching for it,” he said.
Insp Williams said Victoria Police had been working with the towing industry throughout Victoria to get companies on board and emphasised that there were stringent requirements on towing contractors under the new laws.
Although reluctant to put a date on when contracts will be finalised, Insp Williams indicated time was running out for hoon drivers who thought their vehicles were safe.
It is believed the contracts will cover Healesville, Yarra Junction, Warburton, Yarra Glen, Mt Evelyn and Monbulk.
“People in that part of the world will see the results in that the legislation is very successful in addressing anti-social and recidivist behaviour,” Insp Williams said.
“It is something they (local police) will welcome.
“Results state-wide indicate that if there is a problem up there local police will effectively be able to utilise the legislation,” he said.