A strong message has been sent to hoons with the destruction of a car on the steps of Queensland’s Parliament House on Wednesday 30 November.
The measure not only serves as a warning to those who engage in illegal driving activity, but also as a training opportunity for the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to hone their life-saving crash rescue skills.
Police and Corrective Services, and Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said legislation amendments, introduced in Parliament on Wednesday, meant any motorist who’s found guilty of hooning could have their car destroyed.
“If you tear up the road, we’ll tear up your car – it’s that simple,” Mr Ryan said.
“Those people who intentionally endanger their lives, the lives of their passengers and other road users by choosing to engage in illegal, stupid behaviour should expect to be found by the Queensland Police Service, and have their car destroyed by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services as part of their road crash rescue training.
“Today’s important measure is just another demonstration of our emergency services working together to keep Queenslanders safe.”
“Today’s vehicle was confiscated and forfeited from a hoon who used his defective car as part of a gender reveal in Logan late last year.
“Not only was this man sentenced to prison and disqualified from driving for four years for committing a life endangering offence with his car, he has now had his car destroyed and turned into a training opportunity for firefighters.”
QFES Commissioner Greg Leach said the arrangement with QPS would provide crews with enhanced road crash rescue training opportunities and help familiarise firefighters with different types of vehicles.
“Firefighters attend thousands of road crash incidents each year, with many of those requiring the use of specialist cutting equipment to free people,” Commissioner Leach said.
“While firefighters expand their knowledge with every incident they attend, our crews would much rather practise their skills on a vehicle in a simulated and controlled scenario than on the road in real life.
“The opportunity to learn new skills and techniques on a variety of different vehicles is critical.”
This year 271 motorists have already lost their lives on Queensland roads compared to 262 during the same period last year.
QPS Commissioner Katarina Carroll said each life lost was not just a number, but so too were they family members, friends and colleagues.
“In almost every crash, it’s the decision made by someone behind the wheel that has had lasting consequences,” she said.
“The decision to drink drive, speed or not wear a seatbelt is in your hands, as is the decision to drive dangerously and engage in reckless, hooning activities.”
Community members are encouraged to report hooning offences via 13 HOON or online via forms.police.qld.gov.au/launch/Hooning
