Media release

Hooning offences - Darwin

Police

Northern Territory Police have impounded 2 vehicles after separate hooning offences across Darwin.

Around 4:40pm on 10 May, a purple Ford Falcon XR6 utility did a burnout as it made a right-hand turn from Bree Street on to Kirkland Road at Tivendale. The burnout resulted in smoke emanating from the tyres, damage to the road surface and the vehicle to drift sideways in front of on-coming traffic.

At approximately 6:15pm on 16 May, a red Honda Prelude stopped next to two riders on horseback on Hicks Road, Girraween. The vehicle then performed a burn out causing loss of traction. Consequently, both horses became frightened presenting a significant risk to the safety of the riders.

On 29 May, police located and impounded both vehicles at separate residences in Darwin. The vehicles have been seized for 48 hours under anti-hooning legislation. Both drivers were issued infringement notices.

Territory Road Policing Division Superintendent Daniel Shean said “Conducting hoon behaviour on our roads presents a danger to other road users and can damage the road. On this occasion, motorists on Kirkland Drive were lucky the car did not lose control and crash into them and, that the horses weren’t spooked too bad as that could have resulted in serious injury to the riders had the fell from the horses.

Hoon driving does not require police to be present and observe the behaviour. If a statement is made to police, police will investigate and as per these incidents, vehicle seizure and infringement notices will occur. Road users are encouraged to continue to report traffic offending to police either by calling 131 444 or online at https://pfes.nt.gov.au/reportonline - road safety is a shared responsibility.”