Hoons make life hell

AAP

EVERY time hoons thunder past Annie James' North Bundaberg home, she is left with a lasting reminder.

“The smell of burnt rubber in my kitchen is nauseating,” Ms James said.

She said hoons target Steuart, Wolca and Gavin streets about dusk several times a week.

“It can be really bad because of the speeds they are travelling,” Ms James said.

“It happens so fast we can't get their licence plates - it's life-threatening.”

Figures released from Queensland Police Service show car seizures are doing little to deter the actions of hoons.

In the first six months of 2009, 120 vehicles were seized in Bundaberg, or 4.6 cars each day.

That figure is a leap from the previous 18 months, where an average of 80 cars each six months were seized.

The rise in seizures can be attributed partly to new powers that allow police to impound cars of repeat disqualified drivers.

Bundaberg Police Inspector Kevin Guteridge conceded that the message was not sinking in for some.

“We are certainly seeing a response from some members of the community, who have taken on board the message,” he said.

“But there are still motorists out there who continue to put their own and other peoples' lives at risk with dangerous driving.”

He said police were particularly disappointed in motorists who continued to drive after receiving a suspension.

“We see people who are suspended in court, then caught driving away from the precinct,” Insp Guteridge said.

“That is disappointing and aggravating.”

But, for hoons out there willing to show contempt to authorities, Insp Guteridge has one message - more police and tougher laws means more seizures.

“I would expect to see that number grow in the coming years,” he said.

“We have more undercover cars working in covert operations to stamp out hooning.”