‘Hooning’ around: A focus group exploration into the effectiveness of Vehicle Impoundment legislation

Monash University Accident Research Centre *email: [email protected] Abstract Vehicle Impoundment („hoon‟) legislation was implemented in Victoria in July 2006. The objective of the legislation is to use vehicle impoundment as a deterrent for reducing the incidence of serious injuries and fatalities associated with high risk driving practices. Since its introduction there have been more than 11,000 vehicle impoundments for excessive speed and hoon offences, across Victoria. The overall aim of this research was to explore the effectiveness of the Vehicle Impoundment legislation in reducing the occurrence and recidivism of „hoon‟ driving behaviour. This was undertaken in two phases, the first involved the analysis of Victoria Police Vehicle Impoundment data. The second phase, which is the focus of this paper, involved a more detailed inspection of behavioural and attitudinal factors surrounding hoon behaviour and the legislation. This was undertaken through a self-report questionnaire administered to drivers whose vehicles had been impounded under the legislation (n=51). Focus groups conducted with a portion of these participants (n=21) augmented the survey results and provided further insight into the factors underpinning hoon driving behaviour. The focus group discussions facilitated the exploration of underlying attitudes pertaining to engaging in „hooning‟, having a vehicle impounded, and the effectiveness of the Vehicle Impoundment legislation. Results provide timely and valuable insights into this high profile, but currently under-researched, driving population, as well as the legislation that has evolved in response.