Zero tolerance: Bundy police work to put brakes on hooning

Bundaberg police have revealed a P-plate driver was recently detected speeding at 114km in a 60km per hour zone.

Hooning, street racing and burnouts remain to be some of the major traffic issues occurring on Bundaberg roads with residents and local police fed up with irresponsible drivers.

Hooning, street racing and burnouts remain to be some of the major traffic issues occurring on Bundaberg roads with residents and local police fed up with irresponsible drivers.

Officer in charge of the Bundaberg Road Policing Unit Sergeant Marty Arnold said hooning had been a constant problem on local and statewide roads with regular complaints received from residents.

“Police at Bundaberg devote substantial resources including enforcement and educational programs to combat hooning,” Sergeant Arnold said.

“Unfortunately for every hoon police identify and prosecute two more seem to get their licenses and take their place.”

Sergeant Arnold said many initiatives had been created to deter drivers from participating in dangerous activities like hooning.

Police are continuing to work alongside Bundaberg Regional Council, state members and external stakeholders such as Transport and Main Roads to reduce the issue.

Educational programs and lectures are also provided in local schools to teach younger generations about road safety.

Additionally a new hoon covert camera program is expected to commence soon – a strategy to identify and prosecute offenders.

Two men charged, vehicle seized following an alleged hooning incident near Bundaberg on Saturday. 🔗https://t.co/NIZLcGyWNxpic.twitter.com/oxKLbnIYEp

— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) February 18, 2021

“Police in Bundaberg have detected recent incidences of burnouts, street racing and high-speed, common in hooning hot spots (and) in some cases with speeds in excess of 40km per hour over the speed limit,” Sergeant Arnold said.

“In one such incident a P-plate driver was detected at 114km per hour in a 60km zone.

“The unfortunate reality is there are far more hoons than there are police particularly on Thursday and Friday nights so we do the best we can at our known and complaint hot spots.”

When officers pull hoons over many of the local offenders have also been requesting leniency.

But police maintain their zero-tolerance stance and warn drivers that if and when caught, they will face losing their licence and car as well cop substantial fines in excess of $1000.

“Police constantly get asked by hoons ‘can I get a warning?’ and the simple answer is no … we have a zero-tolerance attitude to hoons and want to remind these drivers if you need your car and license reconsider that stupid act you are about to do to impress your friends,” Sergeant Arnold said.

“We will catch you because in the effort to reduce road trauma we have identified that the most dangerous part of a car is the nut holding the steering wheel.”

Former State Member for Bundaberg David Batt previously raised the issue in parliament after residents were concerned cars could come crashing through their bedroom window at night.

“We must put the brakes on hooning – it is a major issue within my community of Bundaberg and over recent months the problem has escalated dramatically,” Mr Batt previously said during his speech in parliament.

“As a former police officer of 23 years I know how helpful specific information is and that is why I always encourage residents to try to record vehicle registration details when they can.”

The NewsMail sought comment from current State Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith but no response has yet been received.

To report a hooning incident please phone Policelink on 134 666 (13 HOON) or submit the online form by clicking here.