Mid-life crisis hoons worse than P platers
January 19, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Though perhaps an easier target, younger drivers are not the worst culprits when it comes to hooning on Victorian roads with so called “mid-life crisis hoons” among the largest represented number of vehicular impounds in Victoria last year.
An increased number of senior drivers were also among more than 3190 drivers whose cars were impounded last year under the state’s anti-hoon legislation representing an alarming 7 per cent of the overall figure.
Assistant Commissioner Ken Lay said yesterday the figure had baffled police.
“It’s a little bit confusing to understand, to be honest,” Mr Lay said. “These are mature, sensible people, one would think, that are putting themselves at risk and other road users at risk.”
Of the cars impounded more than 40 per cent were drivers considered of middle age including a 52 year-old in a BMW Z4 (143km/h in an 80km/h zone), a 64 year-old in a Porsche 911 (110km/h in a 60km/h zone), a 60 year-old in a Porsche (caught doing burnouts) and a 64 year-old driver in a Subaru WRX (113km/h in a 60km/h zone).
Police Minister Bob Cameron said older drivers could not rely on youthful enthusiasm or a lack of knowledge as an excuse.
“These older hoons are dills, they’re drongos and dingbats,” he said. “Victorian roads aren’t race tracks. Just because you own a souped-up car doesn’t mean you can drive like Schumacher on suburban streets.”
A significant increase in the total number of vehicles impounded last year was proof police were getting hoons off the road, Mr Cameron said.
There were 3190 vehicles impounded last year, compared with 2604 in 2007. Regional centres are overly represented statistically.
Since the anti-hoon laws were introduced in July 2006, 6631 drivers’ vehicles have been impounded.
Print it: 
No real surprise there. Up to 25 yo, couldnt afford fast car, 25 to 35, have to cater for baby stuff, house etc, 35 up dont need the big family wagon, career on track so plenty of loot for the car we dreamed of when we were 20. In my case, I was late 30’s when I first got a car that would get to 100kph in less than 6 seconds. Instant hoon, but the novelty wore off after a while.
“These older hoons are dills, they’re drongos and dingbats,” he said. “
From a guy that looks like his on speed,with his wide opened eyes expression at interviews.
Yes Minister,and you’re such a mental giant
d**khead under 25s can have d**khead parents too you know. It’s genetic.
Curious, did the burnout Porsche have stock steel rims on the back?
hahaha really ,now theres a shock ! Not …………
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This is how/what should be done, as these nutcases doing this rubbish on public roads is NOT ON!
A.1st. offence, vehicle impounded 6 months.
B.2nd. offence, vehicle impounded 12 months.
C.3rd offence, vehicle is NOT returned, sent to auction and money put into road safety/works etc
Cheers
F-0
We have ALL put the foot in from time to time. When we believe it is clear….it is just bad luck we get caught at the time.
I do a few track days throughout the year but this does not stop me from giving it some berries on some of my favourite roads and I have driven to excess on these roads too.
Remember these are the words of the minister not the the force.
There have been a few pollies over the years caught speeding too.
F-O, I hope you’re joking?
If you don’t see a speed limit sign are you prepared to catch the bus to work for 6 months if the officer deems you to be ‘hooning’?
It’s good to see that car advice hasn’t jumped on the p-plate bashing wagon, especialy considering that out of the 55 people that died these holidays only 5 were p-platers and that the elderly are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents.
as for the older men having their cars confiscated, i really don’t see the point. If these men a driving top end luxury cars, it wouldnt be difficult for them to get another vehicle.
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MB^^,
Bit of difference between speeding 10kmh over the limit, and being a dickhead, ie doing burnoutS, drags, very high speeds on public roads etc etc
PHIL^^
NOT joking, the punishment ATM is not harsh enough, my solution will work.
NICK^^
Just because you have a expensive car does not make you imune.
Further, not only is the car to be impounded and/or sold on 3rd. offence, driving liceanse must be surrendered too.
DO YOU THINK THE DRONGOS WILL GET THE MESSAGE….FINALLY?
Cheers
F-0
Where did I say 10km/h over…add another 0 to the end and that would be more like it.
Sure there is no justification for this speed.
Frugal One
Agree with Phil, you must be either a Police Officer or a gummint employee – but either way how appalling you could agree with a politician! DISGRACEFUL! When has the government ever been right about anything?
I thought the communists lost the Cold War – apparantly not. Yet more government propoganda on top of the excess we are all ready drowning in. Anti hoon legislation is simply another smokescreen to blame the motorist instead of designing better roads, improve existing roads including removing “accident” black spots, and developing proper driver training and licensing.
Coppers are after all merely impotent individuals in their own lives that join up to get a badge and a gun and hey presto people must listen and obey them… Taxi drivers with guns working for the tax office.
It is practically impossible not to be a hoon when you own a might HSV.
When I got my car impounded for doing burnouts on Chapel Street I wasn’t too upset as I just drove one of my other might HSV’s and I haven’t been caught since.
Speed limits are not a magical speed that ensures the safety of driver and passengers and all those around them including dolphins and butterflies and then all wars cease as you dutifully obey a tin sign on the side of the road with a number painted on it.
I exceed the speed limit daily because I enjoy the sensation of SPEED!
And burnouts are GREAT at warming up your tyres!
Speed does not kill, government inaction DOES!
I agree with HSV – I often drag off FPV’s and Tickfords when they are at the traffic lights! Bring back Skaifey (probably an old hoon too)!!
If the various state governments around the country poured the tens of millions, now more likely to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, into competant and adequate driver training and education how many lives would be saved now? The GOVERNMENT has it’s hands covered in blood.
I’m 22, and I have lost my licence a couple times. Although I haven’t lost a point in over 2 years, I recently had my car impounded.
I was on a wide back road, no houses, footpaths, people etc around, and I pulled the handbrake to bang a quick U-turn, only to realise there was a police car that just happened to be hiding behind some bushes just up the road from me. Although I was probably only doing 20km/hr at the time and it was controlled I definately felt like an idiot.
But in circumstances like mine, I think for F-O to say I should loose my car for 6 months first offense is pretty rediculous.
And other people saying that young people can’t afford fast cars is pretty silly too. I had a 200rw/kw VL turbo when i was 20, and a couple of my friends purchased 200rw/kw plus imports when they were 18-19. So I think its silly trying to make excuses for middle aged people doing hoon type activites when they’re the age of my parents, what sort of standard does that set for us?
im going to have to show this to my parents.
sounds like i might have to teach them to drive properly
Governmetns around the country have brought in anti-hoon laws, drug testing, mobile radar, fixed cameras, undercover traffic patrol, and other laws to try and make the a road safer place to be. None of it is working and the road toll continues to rise. A new approach is needed. The deifinition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
The roads need to be made safer. More dividers separating opposing traffic flows, no more trees and power poles directly adjacent and unprotected next to roadways. IMO those two things alone would save many many lives every year. Its the impact when a car hits something that kills people. They may only be doing 60pkh but if their car careers off the road with a flat tyre what hope do they have if there is a big gum tree 4 feet wide only inches from the side of the road. Or if the car goes the other way into oncoming traffic.
Our roads are accidents waiting to happen. Hoons or no hoons
Accidents happen for many reasons, hooning only being one of them. Ignorance of road rules, imcompetent car control, lack of attention, and general stupidity make up the majority of accidents in my opinion. I for one think we should bring back yearly or 2 yearly driving exams, with a revamped system where car control and road etiquette are greatly emphasised. And anyone with a reaction time of over 2 seconds or an IQ of under 90 shouldn’t be allowed a licence.
Seems we have a few ‘speed aficionados’ blogging here today.
I’ve been driving for 25 years so guess the age bracket.
I think I’ve had about 7 tickets and all were less than 25km/h above the limit.
Last one last year. Never lost my license.
I’ve owned about 8 cars ranging from 50 odd to 200Kw (268 neddies).
I currently use about 160Kw where I can.
Am I a hoon?
WVB, no you just seem like a regular car owner. My understanding of the definition of a hoon is a person who do burnouts in front of busy cafes or when leaving a quiet suburban sidestreet at 1am spinning their tyres and making farting sounds from their BOVs. Not necessarily as dangerous as a old lady merging at 70kph onto the freeway without checking over her shoulder but it is about the most voluntarily stupid knuckle-dragging thing these mouth breathers can do in a motor vehicle.
Here here, bring on merging school NOW!!!!
Ive been driving for 26 years had a few speeding tickets all by cameras ,being female helps when being pulled over manually by the boys in blue ,remember when I was a little over 22 hubby at that time had just bought a new 911 and was on the way too Launceston with my mum ,cop pulled me over for doing 15 ks over the limit,I got out sat in his car a little cleavage latter he let me off.Sucks to be a bloke,Im betting loads of chicks still get away with this. I must say though Ive never been done for burnouts {well caught}, drink driving or lost my licence. Im still a rev head and doubt that will ever change.Am I lucky…..perhaps but Im also not on the road at nights and I think thats when the P platers are at their worst.
Is speeding hereditary probably……..my Dad is a speed freak still at 68 ,give him the keys to horsepower he will let it rip,although in his defense he too will pick the time and place, in his younger days he was a defensive driving school instructor taught me heaps over the years although I dont seem to be able to pass time and place over to my 23 year old. Hes now lost his licence 3 times !!!!!!!!!!!
The government is too simplistic about setting reasonable speed limits and trying to stop people being stupid on the roads.
They focus on the big-stick approach which unfortunately catches some people that areguably weren’t being that silly. If you chirp your wheels on the white lines at the lights, watch out if a nearby copper is having a bad day.
However, the guys picked out for special mention here were engaging in behaviour which was just ridiculously stupid (except maybe the burnout guy. He was probably not likely to hurt anyone).
The speed difference between the posted limit and their actual speed is far too great to shrug off.
I don’t think impounding people’s cars is fair and I don’t think that it works. Well it clearly doesn’t seem to, because the incidence of offences is increasing.
LMAO Missile…..works both ways as I was once truly down for being over limit on Gold Coast and I strutted me stuff and she let me off with a warning. Iam sure not many guys do that being pulled over by lady cops!
Another time was doing 140kms in 100kms zone and talked my way out of that with a warning. The best one was letting a car overtake me and he sped up to around 120kms in 100kms zone and I tailed him and cop got us coming other way….. cop pulled us over and says to me that one of you were speeding. I told him I was overtaken and why would I speed. He stated your driving a 6cylinder. I told him so what as thats not clear cut an excuse and besides I was behind car who overtook me. He said one of your were speeding so cant be clear who it was. He asked why was I doing that speed. I told him I wasnt and am sick of trucks pushing me on road. He said when trucks speed to pull over and let them by. I told him that if Iam going on a trip I wont pull over every 2kms from here to Brisbane as just not feasible. He just said your right and just try to not speed. We both got let off with a warning.
Impossible to do a burnout unless you switch the ESP off. Impossible to have your car impounded if you set the cruise control to about 20 over the limit.
Possible to have a lot of fun within these parameters if you choose the right roads and keep your eyes open.
So what’s the problem?
I know it’s not like the old days when you could be picked up at 40 over the speed limit after 8 pints of beer and talk your way out of it, but times have changed.
Zorro
you have shown everyone why we need more enforcement and harsher penalties
hahaha NM………..I know what you showed her and she fell over in amazement didnt she big boy :)! Some of us have got it I guess baby! xoxox
John
You must be a cop, either that or you so completely lack intelligence you need a government to tell you how to drive, and to intervene to protect you from yourself.
I don’t.
Hey Captian your wrong when it comes to breaking traction with TC on…….last 2 FPV GTs I have had will do it with it on…Only time it was turned off was when you really wanted to come on to it to warm the tyres up at the drags ;)
You are right with parameters ,some just need to be smarter if they want to have some fun on the street..
John
Maybe you should ask how many crashes I’ve had and how many peoplr I’ve killed..
The answer to both is none.
Every time I drive I make a judgement on what is safe and what is not. I rarely if ever drive at 10/10ths, but am often at 8 or 9 for short periods to put a smile on my face (touch wood) and I love it! I cop a fine every now and then and cop it sweet if I can’t get out of it ‘cos only rarely am I pulled up. I’ve always driven this way, never lost my licence and guess what – I always will…
I truly hope one day you experience life without fear.
we really need access to a track, where I live. My last 2 cars have huge acceleration over 100kph, so the tendancy can be to get a rush of blood and let it rip. if I could get to a track every couple of months, maybe do a 0 – 100 run or two, and crank it up over 200kph, it would scratch the itch. On the Gold Coast you have to drive up to Willowbank to have a go. It’s just too far to make it worthwhile, unless you make a big production of it.
I think the government should take notice of all the people who believe that the actions being taken by the police and government are wrong and driver education is the answer. Not restricting speed because you can be killed at 100kmph just as easiliy as when you are going 130kmph. Listen to the people and put it to a vote.
Hey BM, I don’t know what’s wrong with FPV’s traction control – of course most systems will let you break traction briefly before cutting in – but letting it get to burnout stage seems pretty unlikely unless the electronics aren’t working.
Yeah I dont know either Captain……………both GTs were chipped but you wouldnt think that should have anything to do with it ! The BA had a few problems was first off the line almost of the GTs but when the Cobra came along …….same problem.I wonder if the boys at CA have the same problem with the F6 Ute ? Nahhhhhhhhh it would be switched off all the time anyway…….he he he
I noticed it in the wet the most ,not accelerating too hard and wheels would spin ……….. Anyone else had the same problem with TC on Fords ?
I’ve driven several BA-BF and FG FPV’s and all allowed wheelspin when nailing the throttle, which I really enjoyed… My understanding is thats how its calibrated from Ford so you can drive them, and it will only kick in to prevent severe wheel spin.
From my experience it works perfectly!
Note BM – I havn’t owned these cars, just fortunate enough to drive them regularly so havn’t dumped clutches etc to fry the rears
Is it me or are the “Hoon” laws ridiculous. It’s all about the “opinion” of a copper and not fact whether or not someone is honning. Surley some of those old hooners referenced to above could have been done for speeding rather than hooning. Legislation like that would never get past the Lords in the UK….thank god.
Zorro – “Coppers are after all merely impotent individuals in their own lives that join up to get a badge and a gun and hey presto people must listen and obey them… Taxi drivers with guns working for the tax office.”
what a stupid thing to say…..i hope next time u need assistance from the police u think twice about actually calling them. u dont deserve the men and women of the police force to be risking there lives for dickheads lick you. go and drive your volvo you fool!
Bigdog, or is that bigpig?
Why does a complete lack of respect for the Police make me a d__k head? They are the coercive arm of Government put in place to enforce the Governments will and raise revenue from their fellow Australians at every opportunity. As an individual, why would you want to do that?. If you believe otherwise then it is you that is the fool, especially if you joined up thinking you were going to serve your community. You serve only your masters, and a bank robbers mask should be part of your uniform.
Zorro, yeah agree that the speeding and speed camera part of the coppers and government is no good, politics driving policy it seems. But if something real bad happens in your life (bashing, something happens to your child, death) these people are in the middle of it. They deserve a hell of a lot more respect then you have given.
Zorro
sticks and stones, sticks and stones. You do get yourself all worked up. I am amazed that you would venture out on the road with us mere mortals
Dan
No doubt there are branches of the Police that do a very good job, however, my, and let me point out a growing number of others, lack of respect for Police stems from how they are employed. The Governments pursuit of revenue via the Police Service is damaging the reputation of Police, pure and simple.
John
Your posts are insipid and you are yet to write anything of substance.
my money is on zorro being a criminal who has had prior dealings with police…….
Wrong again officer bigdog
your time will come…..
I’m waiting….
so does that means cars restriction on older drivers too?
or swapping P platers law for older drivers?
man i hope its the second option so i wont have a headache in buying a car. so many cars comes with turbo its not funny.