Numbers tell true story ... the Sunshine Coast is hoon central
IT IS official. The Sunshine Coast is hoon central in the North Coast Police Region, and police are unhappy.
New statistics comparing the six districts have found 40% of all hoon-related offences for the year occurred on the Coast.
Caboolture was the next worst, with 18% of the offences committed, and the Maryborough district had 17%.
The Coast also tops the list for the number of offences committed by unlicensed, drunk and unregistered drivers.
More than 1860 offences were committed on the Coast compared with Caboolture's 1336, and 916 in Gympie.
The revelation comes just days after Police Minister Jack Dempsey tabled what is described as "the nation's toughest anti-hooning laws" in parliament.
If the laws are passed, offenders' cars will be impounded after their first serious hooning offence. A second offence within five years would result in cars being crushed.
Police recently charged a 22-year-old man for hooning down a Maleny street and causing $16,000 worth of damage.
The man was arrested after he allegedly left 300m skidmarks down Bridge Creek Rd.
He was the first driver to be charged with wilful damage caused by hooning on the Coast.
Sunshine Coast Traffic Branch Senior Constable Darryl Campbell said the arrest should be a warning to other hoons. "Hooning will not be tolerated," he said.
To report hooning, call 134 666.
>> DRIVING US MAD
For hooning offences involving a speed trial, vehicle races, burn outs
(more minor offences offences in brackets)
- Sunshine Coast 55 (1868)
- Caboolture 26 (1336)
- Maryborough 25 (1011)
- Redcliffe 14 (n/a)
- Gympie 11 (916)
- Bundaberg 10 (805)
