News & Events Hoons

[the_fresh]

Firstly I couldn't care less about those 6 idiot teenagers that hit the tree on Sunday morning IMO better them than some bystander.

Now we as a country need to get tough on hoons, I've moved in with my girlfriend in Huntingdale and every day I see a new act that is taking idiot to a whole new level. Only today I called the police on one guy who was flying down our street, missed the turn and ended up in a park, it was just lucky there were no kids playing at the time.

We need a change in the penalty, it should be 20km over the speed limit and you lose you license for life, no second chance, no lose your car for 48 hours and license for a few months.
If caught driving without a license you go to jail for a min. of 5 years, nothing soft, you do hard time.

If you break the law and that results in a death you should be charged with murder. If you take the risk you pay the price.

Where to put them? build a big jail in the middle of nowhere, a place that will make them think long and hard about what they did.

 

[Wally Carter]

I was the guy in that car and I know where you live.

 

[the_fresh]

i was the guy in that car and i know where you live.

good!

 

[Jafa]

Yeah - nah. I agree - things need to be tougher but your sentances are to extreme.

20 kilometers over the limit in built up areas is madness. 20 kilometers over the limit on the open country road is just not the same.

 

[hamG]

Haha sucks if you turn off a side street somewhere you've never been before not knowing it is a school zone and BAM. No license for life

 

[TheStinger]

Yeah - nah. I agree - things need to be tougher but your sentances are to extreme.

20 kilometers over the limit in built up areas is madness. 20 kilometers over the limit on the open country road is just not the same.

I disagree. How hard is it to not go 20 kph over? Not very. It is just insane on suburban streets or open roads. Speed limits aren't a guide, they are put there because they are the safest speeds at which to travel and if everyone goes the same speed (not faster or way slower) there will be less road rage out there.

I understand the frustration when you get someone doing 10 or 15 Kays below the speed limit and you want to get round them and it's difficult and you get pissed off but people that are constantly changing lanes and tailgating and ripping through the traffic are just as bad.

My mum is currently a juror in a court case of a young woman who by her crazy driving, clipped a 4WD that then careered across the road into another car killing one of the occupants. Her idea of a safe distance to travel behind someone in a 100 zone was "about a car length". WTF?

Is this what young people are getting out of their driving training? The bravado and sheer bigheadedness displayed by a minority of the young drivers who in reality have a miniscule amount of experience and skill is just off the planet and the only way to get into their thick skulls to follow the rules that are put there to keep everyone safe is by making the punishment harsh.

All L and P platers that go 20 Kays over the limit should have their licence suspended for 2 years minimum. MINIMUM! And take their car away. If that doesn't make them take a minute and think about what they are doing then there is no hope for them.

As for drinking and driving whilst on your P's............5 YEARS MINIMUM loss of licence. There is no excuse. You know the rules, no alcohol, so it's not like it will be a big surprise when they get caught.

That's my feeling anyway. Feel free to disagree if you are a hoon.

 

[Tormented Tiger]

Hoon's a bit harsh and makes the offender sound boganish, whats wrong with 'free spirit' ?

 

[Jafa]

I disagree. How hard is it to not go 20 kph over? Not very. It is just insane on suburban streets or open roads. Speed limits aren't a guide, they are put there because they are the safest speeds at which to travel and if everyone goes the same speed (not faster or way slower) there will be less road rage out there.

130 kms on the open road is not insane - illegal certainly but not insane.

 

[Damon_3388]

I posted this in the drink driving thread, but it's relevant here too:

People's recklessness and lack of value for their life astounds me sometimes, particularly many young people. You don't have to live your life wrapped in cotton wool, but the unneccessary risks that some people take (eg. drink driving, "hooning") are something I just don't understand. Obviously not everyone takes stupid risks, but when there's people out there who are more concerned with not getting caught by the police than the danger they're putting the lives of themselves and others into by drink driving (or other "hoon" activity), then the message still isn't getting through, and much harsher and less tolerant penalties needs to be put into place to get offending clowns off of the roads.

130 kms on the open road is not insane - illegal certainly but not insane.

Certainly illegal, maybe not insane, but really necessary?

 

[TheStinger]

130 kms on the open road is not insane - illegal certainly but not insane.

Have you heard of the concept of for every X Kmh faster you go it adds Y to your stopping distance.

For example (and these are by no means exact figures but they are out there on the net somewhere) if you are doing 50kmh your optimum stopping distance is 40 metres but just do 60kmh and your stopping distance becomes 60 metres.

Now extrapolate that out to 110 and 130 and the stopping distances required are quite large. Now assume for a second that the car in front of you is doing 110kmh and you are gaining rapidly doing 130kmh. A kangaroo (not an uncommon animal in rural Australia) comes bounding out in front of car A. He slams on the brakes causing him to slow rapidly.

Your reaction time is anywhere between .2 to .5 secs plus getting to your brakes to try and stop yourself and meanwhile the distance between your car and the car in front is getting smaller and smaller before you plow into the back of them or swerve to avoid them and go cartwheeling across the outback dirt somewhere.

Now does 130kmh seem a bit more insane?

 

[Tormented Tiger]

My bike redlines @ 12,000 revs (80-100 kms in 1st gear), the speedo goes up to 280 kms. Does anybody know how to blow the cobwebs out without being labelled a hoon/free spirit ?

Good to see channel 9 has picked up 'Top Gear' this year.

 

[PunyHumans!!!]

Hoon's a bit harsh and makes the offender sound boganish, whats wrong with 'free spirit' ?

Someone doing 140 k's and is drunk off his **** is not a free spirit. It's ****ing idiocy.

 

[Byron_Clanger]

Someone doing 140 k's and is drunk off his **** is not a free spirit. It's ****ing idiocy.

totally agree, the more people like that, that wipe themselves off the road the better

 

[MF]

totally agree, the more people like that, that wipe themselves off the road the better

Yep, I know it probably sounds harsh but I'm glad that kid is dead.

 

[Jafa]

Have you heard of the concept of for every X Kmh faster you go it adds Y to your stopping distance.

For example (and these are by no means exact figures but they are out there on the net somewhere) if you are doing 50kmh your optimum stopping distance is 40 metres but just do 60kmh and your stopping distance becomes 60 metres.

Now extrapolate that out to 110 and 130 and the stopping distances required are quite large. Now assume for a second that the car in front of you is doing 110kmh and you are gaining rapidly doing 130kmh. A kangaroo (not an uncommon animal in rural Australia) comes bounding out in front of car A. He slams on the brakes causing him to slow rapidly.

Your reaction time is anywhere between .2 to .5 secs plus getting to your brakes to try and stop yourself and meanwhile the distance between your car and the car in front is getting smaller and smaller before you plow into the back of them or swerve to avoid them and go cartwheeling across the outback dirt somewhere.

Now does 130kmh seem a bit more insane?

The roads out here are empty. I'm usually overtaking by the time I get anywhere near the car in front or if that's not possible sitting behind at a safe distance. Driving at speed requires adjustments to suit that speed.

Now I'm not suggesting that it's safe to drive at any speed. The op picked a figure that I don't consider to be unsafe.

 

[TheStinger]

The roads out here are empty. I'm usually overtaking by the time I get anywhere near the car in front or if that's not possible sitting behind at a safe distance. Driving at speed requires adjustments to suit that speed.

Now I'm not suggesting that it's safe to drive at any speed. The op picked a figure that I don't consider it to be unsafe.

I admit that there is a difference between "safe" driving at a higher speed and unsafe driving at any speed. And you may well be accustomed to your area and know how to drive well there.

But what if the person near you doesn't know the area well or is not used to travelling at such speeds? Does your increased speed then make their driving more susceptible to an accident. People react differently to situations and some may make poor decisions when faced with someone coming up fast on them.

They may try to make a manouever that is outside their skill level just to get out of your way. Why are there so many fatal accidents on rural highways on straight stretches of road? Because people make poor decisions or fall asleep or try and avoid an animal or any one of a thousand things.

You might be able to control what you can do, but everything else is outside your control. Just think about that the next time you blow past someone on the open road.

 

[Tormented Tiger]

I admit that there is a difference between "safe" driving at a higher speed and unsafe driving at any speed. And you may well be accustomed to your area and know how to drive well there.

But what if the person near you doesn't know the area well or is not used to travelling at such speeds? Does your increased speed then make their driving more susceptible to an accident. People react differently to situations and some may make poor decisions when faced with someone coming up fast on them.

They may try to make a manouever that is outside their skill level just to get out of your way. Why are there so many fatal accidents on rural highways on straight stretches of road? Because people make poor decisions or fall asleep or try and avoid an animal or any one of a thousand things.

You might be able to control what you can do, but everything else is outside your control. Just think about that the next time you blow past someone on the open road.

And what if a satelite re-enters the atmosphere and crashes on the road in front of you. At 130 kms you wont be able to stop in time.
And and and what if you went to Europe on holidays and you had to drive on the Autobahn, people would call you a pussy for driving so slow only doing 130 kms.

 

[Jafa]

Much of Europe considers 120-130 Km speeds to be safe and they use these speed limits successfully.

Take France for instance.

Highway : 130 km/h, if raining 110 km/h (80 mph, 70 mph)
Dual cariageway : 110 km/h, if raining 100 km/h (70 mph, 60 mph)
Open road : 90 km/h, if raining 80 km/h (55 mph, 50 mph)
Town : 50 km/h (30 mph)

If your licence is less than two years old, the speed limits are reduced to :

Highway : 110 km/h
Dual cariageway : 100 km/h
Open road : 80 km/h
Town : 50 km/h

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

And what if a satelite re-enters the atmosphere and crashes on the road in front of you. At 130 kms you wont be able to stop in time.
And and and what if you went to Europe on holidays and you had to drive on the Autobahn, people would call you a pussy for driving so slow only doing 130 kms.

Are you making excuses for people going 20km over the limit?

 

[TheStinger]

Much of Europe considers 120-130 Km speeds to be safe and they use these speed limits successfully.

Take France for instance.

Highway : 130 km/h, if raining 110 km/h (80 mph, 70 mph)
Dual cariageway : 110 km/h, if raining 100 km/h (70 mph, 60 mph)
Open road : 90 km/h, if raining 80 km/h (55 mph, 50 mph)
Town : 50 km/h (30 mph)

If your licence is less than two years old, the speed limits are reduced to :

Highway : 110 km/h
Dual cariageway : 100 km/h
Open road : 80 km/h
Town : 50 km/h

Yes, very true. but you neglected two very important points.

One: These are the rules for Europe and everyone understands them and everyone goes by the same rules. Here we have a different speed rule and everyone needs to go by that. You can't say "Oh it's safe because thats what they do in Europe" when you get pulled over for doing 140 can you?

Two: They also have a number of lanes that allow you to do different speeds. If you want to go 200mph then you get in that diamond lane and you go for your life. If you want to go at 60mph then you stay as far away from that diamond lane as possible.

It works in Europe but conditions are different and how many times a year do we hear about a 100 car pile up on the Autobahn? Quite a lot, especially during winter. Doesn't always work now does it.

 

[TheStinger]

And what if a satelite re-enters the atmosphere and crashes on the road in front of you. At 130 kms you wont be able to stop in time.
And and and what if you went to Europe on holidays and you had to drive on the Autobahn, people would call you a pussy for driving so slow only doing 130 kms.

Chances of satellite wandering in front of your car = 0.00001%
Chances of Kangaroo, wombat, koala, sleepy lizard running in front of your car = Extraordinarily high.

Be reasonable and people might pay attention to you.

 

[Jafa]

Yes, very true. but you neglected two very important points.

One: These are the rules for Europe and everyone understands them and everyone goes by the same rules. Here we have a different speed rule and everyone needs to go by that. You can't say "Oh it's safe because thats what they do in Europe" when you get pulled over for doing 140 can you?

Two: They also have a number of lanes that allow you to do different speeds. If you want to go 200mph then you get in that diamond lane and you go for your life. If you want to go at 60mph then you stay as far away from that diamond lane as possible.

It works in Europe but conditions are different and how many times a year do we hear about a 100 car pile up on the Autobahn? Quite a lot, especially during winter. Doesn't always work now does it.

Nonetheless - They consider 130 safe, so do I. I don't expect to get away with it if I get caught but I don't think it should incur as high a punishment as someone doing 70-80 in a built up area or suburb. I certainly don't think it should attract some of the ludicrous figures as suggested by the OP.

Regarding the pileups - I have already stated that I don't consider the speeds you are talking about as being safe. The OP picked a figure and it wasn't 90 kilometers over the limit. The suggested speed on the Autobahn is? 130 kmh.

When did we start talking about doing 140 ??

 

[The Cranium]

Much of Europe considers 120-130 Km speeds to be safe and they use these speed limits successfully.

Take France for instance.

Highway : 130 km/h, if raining 110 km/h (80 mph, 70 mph)
Dual cariageway : 110 km/h, if raining 100 km/h (70 mph, 60 mph)
Open road : 90 km/h, if raining 80 km/h (55 mph, 50 mph)
Town : 50 km/h (30 mph)

If your licence is less than two years old, the speed limits are reduced to :

Highway : 110 km/h
Dual cariageway : 100 km/h
Open road : 80 km/h
Town : 50 km/h

It works in Europe because there is a differing mind set and culture to things like drinking and drink driving.

For a start, make the license harder to get.
Mandatory advanced driving courses would be a start, regulating the CC capacity of new drivers like they do with bikes would be another.

Raising the drinking age to 21 would be another course of action. These clowns need to be responsible for the angst they now forward to their parents, bit hard now, they're dead.

You can't legislate against stupidity. Until the culture changes of "free spirit" and simply "having fun" as an excuse for the rest of us to have to put up with their poor behaviors nothing will change.

 

[The Sultan]

no matter what laws/rules they bring in you cant regulate stupidity, the kid who killed himeself and four of his mates did so by being dunk and speeding.
The whole autobahn thing would not work in aust as every moron would get in their fully sik car anbd try and do 250 down the freeway with little regard for the conditions, we have a different midset in aust.

IMO I think they need to:
- have a hardcore driver education at school in year 9 or 10, ie show the results of speeding drink driving etc,
- once they pass this class they can then go for their L's,
- in order to get your P's you have to do your 150 hours supervised driving as well as a proper defensive driving course.
- then once you get you P any speeding over 20 ks or hooning offense lose of licence for 6 months and car impounded for 6mths, second offense 2 years and fofiture of car.

 

[MF]

My bike redlines @ 12,000 revs (80-100 kms in 1st gear), the speedo goes up to 280 kms.

Everyone is very impressed.

Does anybody know how to blow the cobwebs out without being labelled a hoon/free spirit ?

Clearly there's no way to do it without endangering the lives of other road users. I'm sure if you end up killing someone their family will understand.

Why don't you just admit that you like to speed and couldn't care less about other people's safety and wear it, instead of trying to justify it with weak excuses?