Hoon laws toughened in Victoria from July 1

The 20-year-old man from Ferntree Gully was travelling 75km/h over the speed limit on the Monash Freeway in Malvern, according to a News Ltd report.

The man had a 17-year-old female passenger in his car at the time.

He has been charged with dangerous and reckless driving, conduct endangering life, speeding, and driving an unroadworthy and unregistered vehicle.

The man was released on bail and will appear at the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on August 10. His car will be released before the end of the week.

Late last month, another P-plate hoon in Victoria had his car impounded after a high-speed chase in Gippsland.

The 23-year-old reached speeds of 150km/h in 60km/h residential streets in his Holden sedan.

No one was injured in the chase and when police intercepted him his car was impounded.

It’s not just young people who are responsible for hoon driving either. Last month a 71-year-old Swan Hill man was caught travelling at 180km/h near Gladfield.

His Holden Commodore SS Ute was impounded for 48 hours.

Currently, Victorian police only have the power to impound hoon cars for 48 hours. After that time, they are returned to the offenders.

But all that is about to change. From July 1, the Baillieu Government will introduce a tougher set of laws to discourage hoon driving.

First-time offenders will lose their cars for 30 days rather than 48 hours. Second-time offenders will lose their cars for a minimum of 30 days, and if the offence is bad enough, can lose them permanently.

Third-time offenders again face a 30-day seizure and can have their cars crushed or stripped of parts.

The hoon laws will also be expanded to encompass vehicle overloading, after a learner driver was caught with nine people in his car in April.

From 2012, Victorian hoons will be forced to complete safe driving education programs.

What do you think? Do the new laws go far enough, or should there be harsher penalties for hoons? Is a 30-day seizure sufficient, or should more cars be crushed to really send the message home? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.