Commodores top culprits as 100 hoon cars a month get crushed

MORE than 100 cars are now being destroyed each month as banned hoons, menaces failing to stop for patrols and drinkdrivers wreak havoc on our roads.

Victoria Police figures reveal that 2204 cars were crushed in the 18 months to the start of this year, with road policing acting Supt John Fitzpat- rick describing the spike as “alarming”.

It can be revealed that among the crushed cars: ALMOST 150 belonged to hoons who tried to flee police after committing offences; SEVEN were owned by drivers busted at more than 70km/h over the limit; MORE than 150 were drinkdrivers; and BY FAR the largest number — 641 — were Holden Commo- dores. Supt Fitzpatrick warned the escalation in crushings would continue until the message got through to outlaw motorists.

“If it means we need to de- stroy 4408 cars next time, we’ll do it,” he said.

“We’re absolutely committed to the cause. We want to work with the community.”

All of those whose cars were destroyed were already on a second offence, or beyond, Acting Supt Fitzpatrick said

“They’re fully aware of what the consequences can be.”

Disqualified and suspended drivers were the biggest losers, with 1045 of their vehicles de- stroyed under court order.

Unlicensed drivers and those in breach of their licence conditions surrendered their wheels forever in 465 cases.

Laws allowing impounded hoon vehicles to be crushed were introduced in July, 2010.

The rate of destruction has climbed heavily since then as police zero in on road menaces.

Vehicles valued at many millions of dollars have been wrecked.

Police Minister Lisa Neville promised those who did the wrong thing would continue to risk their vehicles in future.

“We make no apologies for being hard-line on this risky criminal behaviour that puts people’s lives at stake,” Ms Neville said.

“We’re not going to tolerate disqualified or drunk drivers on our roads — if you do the wrong thing, your car may very well be crushed.”