Laws designed to remove dangerous drivers from Tasmania’s roads have resulted in the clamping, confiscation or forfeiture of more than 1,800 vehicles.

Under amendments to the Police Offences Act in December 2009, vehicles can be clamped or confiscated for exceeding the speed limit by 45km/h, evading police, driving whilst disqualified on a second or subsequent occasion, and reckless and dangerous driving.

“These laws have assisted police in removing vehicles from the road immediately where drivers are acting recklessly,” said Assistant Commissioner, Phil Wilkinson.

“It’s a major deterrent to hooning, dangerous and disqualified driving when Police have the power to take the keys and car – or clamp the steering wheel – for a minimum of 28 days and perhaps permanently,” said Mr Wilkinson.

Since 2009, 35 vehicles have been permanently forfeited to the Crown.  Of those, 15 vehicles have been crushed because they were of no value, while 12 cars have been sold through auction and 5 cars used by emergency services for training purposes.  One car has been provided to a victim of crime through the U-Turn Program, and the outcome is yet to be determined for 2 vehicles.

Most of the vehicles were clamped or confiscated for 28 days as the driver had not committed any prior traffic offences. 

The main offences resulting in clamping or confiscation are Evading Police (648), Hooning offences (479) and Driving whilst Disqualified (458).   The majority offenders were aged between 17 and 20.

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