Hoon drivers would face increased jail sentences and licence disqualifications under tough new laws introduced to Parliament today.
The new laws would mean that motorists convicted of driving at an extreme speed could be jailed for up to three years and face a mandatory minimum two-year licence disqualification for a first offence. The licence disqualification period would be increased to five years for a subsequent offence.
Police would also have the ability to strip extreme speed offenders of their licence on-the-spot.
Extreme speed is defined as driving at 55km/hr or more above the limit in a zone marked 60 or less, or 80km/hr or more above the limit in a zone marked above 60.
In certain circumstances, the maximum penalty could be increased to up to five years imprisonment with a mandatory minimum licence disqualification for five years.
Those circumstances include;
– Where the offence was committed while attempting to escape a police pursuit
– Where the offending caused death or serious harm
– Where the vehicle driven was stolen
– Where the offender was driving while disqualified
– Where the offender was on a provisional or probationary licence, a learner’s permit, or unlicensed
– Where the offender was under the influence of drugs or alcohol
In addition, where the car involved is registered to the offender, the car may also be forfeited to the State.
Minister for Road Safety, Vincent Tarzia said this new legislation will help protect all road users.
This Bill was drafted in close consultation with Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, who has seen first-hand the distressing results of extreme speeding.
