Well, after banning ICE, it looks like the world is outlawing “hooning” next
Well, it’s official, at least in one part at the land down under, so the Queensland Government has now passed some of the most extreme anti-hoon laws ever targeting not only drivers but spectators as well. So now in Queensland, you can not only no longer “hoon out,” but you can’t even legally watch one hoon anymore.
So first, most of the world decides to ban internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, and now we can’t even hoon in Queensland anymore? What’s next? All of Australia and soon after, the whole world? I certainly will have some words for our Government should this madness spread across the seas and come here.
Moreover, under these new laws, participating in any “hooning” event, from illegal street races to burnouts, is a criminal offense, and this includes encouraging others to watch or participate in such activities as well. While I do understand this is meant to deter dangerous driving on public roads, why is it so drastic?
Surely, if one were to perform “hooning” antics, then I can see the government taking issue with it and even taking legal action, but why should someone be punished simply for watching it? What happens if one happens to just pass by a “hooning” event? Will they also face legal action?
Okay, so let me quickly run through the finer details, the Queensland Police have defined “hooning” as a range of dangerous and reckless behaviors behind the wheel, including street racing, speeding, burnouts, blasting music, and even drinking while driving.
To make matters worse, if you engage in any of these activities, you could be reported by a fellow Queenslander and face serious legal consequences. it’s not just the drivers who are at risk too, oh no, anyone organizing, promoting, watching, photographing, or filming these activities could also be penalized.
On top of that, Queensland Police Minister, Mark Ryan, stated, “If you want to tear up our roads, we’ll tear up your car…If you behave in an anti-social manner and put the lives of others and yourself at risk you will be targeted relentlessly by police. Life is precious. Too many lives are lost on our roads. Hooning will not be tolerated.”
The Queensland Government’s Road Safety Strategy estimates that “road trauma” costs the state a whopping AUD6 billion (USD4 billion), enough to buy a small island in the Pacific. What’s more, close to 15 percent of hospital admissions in 2020 were linked to traffic accidents, which it says cause “immeasurable” personal suffering
Whether or not this justifies such harsh anti “hooning” laws is up to you, but I certainly think that just watching should not warrant any form of penalty, punishment or even any legal action or law enforcement involvement at all, I think that is taking things a tad too far. What do you guys think?
We got all this from Carscoops and their full article is linked here. Thank you Carscoops for the information and images.
