Hoon

The term "Hoon" was first used in Australia at the turn of the 20th century where it referred to a man living off immoral earnings [http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/lcj/working/ch4-5.html] (i.e. a pimp). Hoon was first used with its current meaning (as a shortened form of "hooligan" [http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/txt/s1639637.htm] ) by Ian "Molly" Meldrum during an interview with Brian Mannix on the tv program Countdown in 1985. Over the past two decades it has achieved wide use to describe any young male or female who drives in a manner which is anti-social towards the standards of modern day society. Generally, a hoon is any person who drives any vehicle dangerously and/or fast.

Concerns in Australia

The term is so widespread in Western Australia, that in 2004 the state government introduced Anti-Hoon Legislation [http://www.trinity.wa.edu.au/plduffyrc/subjects/sose/polaw/legis.htm] .

These laws intend to cut down on excessive speed, street racing and illegal burnouts, all of which can be described as anti-social behaviour. Drivers caught engaging in any activity targeted by the legislation, will have the vehicle(s) involved impounded for 48 hours on the first offense, regardless of the owner(the only exemption is if the car is stolen or hired).Fact|date=February 2007

Anti-Hoon laws were also introduced in Victoria in July 2006. Offenders are liable to have their vehicle(s) confiscated and/or impounded, regardless of who owns the vehicle(s). Offences include "intentionally burning rubber", speeding, and "donuts". According to the ABC, over 130 vehicles had been confiscated as of 17 August 2006, and "more than half of the cars have been taken from probationary drivers." [http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200608/1716844.htm?victoria] In the twelve months after the anti-hoon laws were introduced, over 1000 cars were confiscated, the majority from probationary drivers. The anti-hoon laws have not been completely successful, however. Victorian Police tried to use them after they disrupted a large group of illegal street racers in Noble Park, Melbourne, sparking a riot when police attempted to seize a car. During the riot, a number of shops in the area were vandalised and rioters also attacked traffic that was going through the area at the time.

Anti-Hoon laws were introduced to Queensland in 2007. Penalties were based on a 'repeat-offender' system. A first-time offender would receive a fine and have their car impounded for a period of 24 hours. A second offense recorded against the same car attracted a three-month impoundment and an even higher fine. A third offense saw the offending vehicle seized as property of the Commonwealth. Often seized vehicles are auctioned off along with surplus police equipment for government funds.

On 12 November 2007, it was announced that car hoons will be penalised under a NSW government initiative to wreck the vehicles of offenders and publish video footage of the destruction. Premier Morris Iemma said the plan proposes to destroy hoons' cars in demonstration tests under controlled conditions. [http://www.caradvice.com.au/7950/nsw-to-crush-hoons-cars/]

On 4th December 2007, the NSW government announced car hoons could face potential jail time for aggravated street racing, burnouts and other driving offences [http://www.caradvice.com.au/8466/tough-new-anti-hoon-laws-for-nsw/]

References

*Australian Institute of Criminology, 1991, "Pimps and patrons : the "boys" in the business" [http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/lcj/working/ch4-5.html]
*Wheels magazine, April 2004, "Hoon: every driver's nemesis", pp64-9.

* The Gold Coast Bulletin, Wednesday, 11 January 2005, pp31-2, "Queensland's traffic nightmare".
* [http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20020320027 NSW Parliament: Street and Illegal Drag Racing]
* Queensland Government informative booklet AQ-6B (2005) "Hoons and street racers - what you need to know." Edited by D.Gribbs and A.Hawkesbury, foreword by Premier Peter Beattie.
* The US automotive blog Jalopnik has adopted the term as the title for their automotive mayhem [http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/hoon category] .
* [http://www.caradvice.com.au/8466/tough-new-anti-hoon-laws-for-nsw/ Car Advice: Tough new Anti-Hoon laws for NSW]

See also

* Boy racer
* Street racing
* Rice burner