Queensland’s Police Minister wants even tougher punishments for motorists caught hooning on the state’s roads, even if the person charged isn’t in a vehicle. Mark Ryan, Minister for Police and Community Safety, introduced the Queensland Community Safety Bill on May 1, calling for greater powers allowing hoons and those participating in related events to be prosecuted. The laws – if enacted – could result in hoon drivers who post their antics on social media facing up to five years in jail, according to proposed amendments of Section 328A (Dangerous operation of a vehicle).
“If the offender publishes material on a social media platform or an online social network to advertise the offender’s involvement in the offence; or advertise the act or omission constituting the offence; the offender commits a crime. “[The] Maximum penalty [is] 400 penalty units or five years imprisonment.” Additionally, the proposed legislation has called for the replacement of the existing Section 19C – which relates to ‘Unlawful conduct associated with commission of racing, burn out or other hooning offence’ – with more rules.
“A driver of a motor vehicle who commits a racing, burn out or other hooning offence may not be convicted of both offence against subsection (1)(a) for participating in a hooning group activity by committing the racing, burn out or other hooning offence; and the racing, burn out or other hooning offence. “Without limiting what may be a reasonable exc.