Notably, South Australian police now have the power to confiscate the vehicles of graffiti vandals or those who blast their car music beyond an acceptable volume. Authorities will now have the right to seize these cars for up to 28 days due to recently ratified hoon laws.

The new legislation was enacted this week and will assist police in an upcoming weekend blitz on drunk drivers. Police figures have publicly confirmed that the new laws can (and will) be used to impound vandals’ cars, as well as those whose car stereos are excessively loud. The measures accompany an intensive crusade to deliver on government pledges and chastise ‘anti-social’ drivers.

The new laws specifically pertain to cases in which vandals employ the vehicle as a means of commuting to and/or from the scene of their crime.

According to sources, the weekend saw over 250 police officers take part in a drink-driving blitz, marking the end of the ‘Operation Consequence’ campaign.

Even more interestingly, drivers caught drinking will now also have their car impounded for the 28-day confiscation period. Moreover, offenders will also lose their licence immediately, in addition to numerous ‘severe’ fines, which will be incurred following court proceedings. The laws have already been enforced upon several drivers caught drink driving on Hindley Street.

Generally 6000 or more alcohol blood tests are conducted during the South Australian campaign each year, with an average of 60-70 offenders being caught. Authorities have high hopes for the new rules, particularly given the recent increase of the SA road toll. They hope the new laws will encourage drivers to “make the right choice.”

Authorities and politicians also hope the new laws will make a dent in the increasing levels of hoon activity, which has become a concern frequently raised at Liberal crime and safety meetings. Though impounding the vehicles is not a solution per say, it is arguably a step in the right direction for addressing the issue of hoon driving.

Despite the enactment of the new laws, some are still emphatically claiming that there needs to be a significantly larger police presence in the suburbs. These segments claim the focus is centred too heavily on major roads, while a blind eye is turned to smaller community roads where hoon activity is more disruptive.