A LEADING psychologist and cognitive neuro-scientist has joined the chorus for harsher penalties for hoon drivers.
Dr John Reid, of the School of Psychology and Psychiatry at Monash University, said simply taking a driver's car away for a short period before giving it back could be counterproductive.
Threatening to crush hoons' car or making them sit a formal interview to get their car back would be much more effective, he believes.
Police revealed last week that since anti-hoon laws were introduced three-and-a-half years ago, more than 10,000 vehicles have been impounded.
Seven of the top 10 suburbs where cars were impounded were in Melbourne's west and north. The most common offences that led to impoundment were excessive speed and improper use of a vehicle.
Ninety-six per cent of drivers who had their vehicles impounded were men, with an average age of 24.
Under hoon laws, police have the right to impound a driver's car for up to 48 hours.
State Attorney-General and Deputy Premier Rob Hulls has flagged introducing harsher penalties, including crushing cars in extreme cases.
Dr Reid said taking cars off hoon drivers would have an immediate impact, but if the cars were given back too easily it could just be seen as something to brag about.
"If they were made to ask questions about their hoon behaviour in a structured interview before their vehicle is released, I think that would have much more impact rather then just going and picking it up.
"For a second offence, making them go to a car crusher with police and watch their pride and joy being crushed would impact much more.
"Simply taking it away [for a period] can be counterproductive. To make it a bigger deal, and with a warning that you and your car are going to the crushers, would be
better."
Dr Reid said with most offenders still in adolescence, risk-taking and hoon driving was a neurological issue as much as a psychological one.
He said the adolescent brain, particularly of males, was not as efficient at processing consequential judgement as an adult.
"So many of these guys [hoon drivers] are 23, 24 or 25 years old. They are still in the stage where they are establishing their pack order status.
"They are almost always males and it's a sign of immaturity."
Mr Hulls said moves would be made to extend anti-hoon laws so first-time offenders risked having their vehicle impounded or immobilised for a week.
Second-time offenders could have their vehicles impounded for up to three months and third-time offenders would risk losing their vehicle forever, with cars sold and proceeds going to victims of crime.
If the vehicle was unsafe or illegally modified it would be crushed.
Self-confessed hoon driver BJ, who spoke to the Advocate but asked for his full name to be withheld, said he welcomed the harsher penalties.
He said there was less care and sentiment in society in general, so penalties needed to be stronger.
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