mmg.com.au

Hoon drivers engaging in a police pursuit could now face a three-year jail term.

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu and Police and Emergency Services Minister Peter Ryan recently announced the introduction of new legislation that would also see the driver’s licence or permit cancelled and disqualification for at least 12 months become mandatory.

It will also be considered a hoon offence that will take the car off the road for a minimum of 30 days and up to three months.

Mr Baillieu said hoon drivers who engaged in police pursuits put Victorian lives at risk.

‘‘It is completely unacceptable in our community and the Coalition government’s legislation will send a strong message to would-be offenders that this type of behavior will be punished,’’ Mr Baillieu said.

Mr Ryan said the tragic consequences of hoon drivers engaging in police pursuits, putting the lives of other Victorian drivers, passengers, police officers and community members lives at risk, was an occurrence seen too often.

‘‘There were more than 720 pursuits on Victoria’s roads in 2011, putting the lives and safety of road users and police at risk,” Mr Ryan said.

He said incidents of police pursuits in Victoria had increased annually since 2002 and the new stronger laws would help police crack down on this dangerous practice.

‘‘This activity has to stop. The new police pursuit law builds on the Coalition government’s tough new hoons laws introduced in 2011,’’ Mr Ryan said.

Since the start of the hoon laws, the number of vehicle impoundments has increased by about 20 per cent, to more than 4140 compared with the previous financial year.