Queensland's anti-hoon legislation and policing methods used to prevent hooning behaviour

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has developed a range of strategies and enforcement programs to target individuals and groups who persist in driving vehicles in a manner that creates unnecessary risk to other road users. This group, typically referred to as ?hoons?, tend to perform organised illegal street racing activities in vehicles that are often defective and unroadworthy. This paper will provide an overview of the provisions of Queensland?s Anti-Hoon Legislation introduced in November 2002, and a statistical summary of the extent and severity of the hooning problem in Queensland. The effectiveness of the Traffic Response Group (TRG) or ?hoon squad? in targeting anti-social driving behaviour will also be outlined. Furthermore, an overview of the objectives and outcomes of ?Operation DRAG? and other similar problem-oriented policing methods used to prevent street racing in Queensland will be presented. The QPS is in a unique position with the ability to record and monitor ?hooning? complaints made by members of the community on the Traffic Returns Analysis and Complaints System (TRACS). The effectiveness of TRACS in monitoring anti-social driving behaviour, otherwise known as ?hooning? will be outlined. This will enable delegates to examine the suitability of Queensland?s response to hoon-related driving behaviour for application in their own jurisdiction.