Mr PETER DRAPER (Tamworth) [4.43 p.m.]: I am pleased to speak in support of the Road Transport Legislation Amendment (Car Hoons) Bill 2008. I listened with interest to the contribution of Minister for Police when introducing the bill last week. The Minister was totally correct when he asserted that some people treat our roads as racetracks. I have received many telephone calls from residents who live in the township of Kootingal, near Tamworth, regarding irresponsible people racing up and down the streets late at night and endangering the community. These people appear to have a reliable information network because they disappear just before police arrive and often return not long after they leave. These people are seemingly unaware or uncaring of the fact that their behaviour is causing deep distress within the community.

As the Minister said last week, illegal street racing, burnouts, or any other sort of hoon behaviour, are both irresponsible and dangerous. The residents of Kootingal have a right to rest safely in their beds without a group of idiots disturbing the peace and endangering lives. One small driving error at speed may result in a tragedy in which the damage or possible loss of life may not be limited to the participants in this stupidity but may extend to innocent members of the broader community. It is clear that despite increased police patrols around the area, the message does not seem to be getting through to this group who view the roads in Kootingal as their own personal playgrounds. I hope that the introduction of much harsher penalties for this sort of unwanted and dangerous behaviour will serve as a deterrent to these people, because they are clearly not concerned by the existing penalties.

The bill introduces tough new penalties for street racing and aggravated burnouts—new penalties that recognise the seriousness of the offences, the impacts upon local communities such as Kootingal, and the potential consequences that can result from blatantly abusing the road rules. As the Minister pointed out, these car hoons appear to have respect for the community and love for their cars in disproportionate measures. Giving police the ability to clamp offenders' cars at their residences for up to three months should provide a good reason for them to stop their dangerous behaviour. Every time they walk out the door they will see their car sitting there unable to be used, and they will pay the financial costs associated with the clamping as well. This will also serve as an example for other people who may be considering such irresponsible behaviour. The offenders will be exposed to ridicule by their friends and neighbours. Should this deterrent not prove sufficient incentive to change their behaviour, the bill allows for the Roads and Traffic Authority to confiscate their vehicles and use them for crash testing and educational programs.

The bill increases the penalty for street racing to $3,300 for a first offence and to $3,300 or nine months imprisonment, or both, for a second or subsequent offence. Hopefully this will deter repeat offenders as a second offence now carries the threat of a jail term. By expanding the definition of a burnout, and differentiating between an accidental wheel spin in adverse conditions and a hoon trying to impress his mates, the bill gives police significantly increased powers to crack down on illegal behaviour. A ticket for $1,100 will certainly reduce the incentive to smoke tyres. The former definition of a burnout was inadequate and change was needed. The bill provides that aggravated burnouts will now include behaviour such as repeated burnouts, long and loud burnouts that disturb community amenity, burnouts that endanger public safety, and burnouts that are committed as part of a group activity. That is important, because these people often act in groups. Given that a combination of these factors will allow police to determine the severity of each offence, it is appropriate that they have the power to do so.

The bill increases the penalty for aggravated burnouts to $3,300 for a first offence and to $3,300 or up to nine months imprisonment, or both, for a second or subsequent offence. The bill also introduces tough new penalties for people in company with hoon drivers. Not only will police charge the drivers of these cars but they will also have the power to charge friends and associates who may be in the cars, who may gather to watch or urge others on, or who take photographs or film—which often appear on YouTube—to glamorise the activity.

The bill also permits police to immediately suspend the licences of people charged with street racing and aggravated burnout offences, and allows for a 12-month disqualification of the drivers licences of people convicted of such an offence. I am pleased that the bill provides a penalty for vehicle owners who permit their vehicles to be used by people who drive irresponsibly. This is good legislation that will improve the safety of people across the State but particularly the residents of the Kootingal area who have expressed concerns to me. Hopefully it will allow police to return the streets of Kootingal and other towns experiencing problems to the residents. I commend the bill to the House.