Tasmanian’s have serious concerns over hooning on our streets, new RACT Insurance data has revealed.
68 per cent of Tasmanian’s believe hooning is an issue while 72 per cent say they have witnessed hooning on urban roads.
RACT Insurance CEO, Trent Sayers has admitted the results of the survey were disappointing but unsurprising.
“Questions regarding hooning were included in RACT Insurances annual state wide survey for the first time this year due to anecdotal evidence which lead us to believe the issue was becoming a serious problem,” said Mr Sayers.
“With nearly three-quarters of the state’s population saying they have witnessed hooning suggest the issue is wide spread.
“Many young drivers in Tasmania see themselves as bulletproof,” said Mr Sayers.
“Young hoons find it difficult to comprehend the potential consequences of dangerous driving stretch far beyond the individual driver.
“We must find a way to effectively communicate the dangers of hooning to young people, or enforce tougher penalties for those who are hooning.
RACT Insurance research has highlighted young drivers as the primary culprits of dangerous driving behaviour with 21 per cent of drivers between the ages of 18-29 admitting to regularly driving over the speed limit.
Mr Sayers explained how significantly age correlates with our approach to driving.
“Our research has shown as drivers grow older, their tendencies to exceed speed limits decline dramatically,” he said.
“While over 20 per cent of young drivers admitted to regularly exceeding the speed limit, this number dropped to 12 per cent in the 30-39 year age bracket and just 5 per cent in the 50-59 year age bracket.
“As drivers mature they begin to realise the endless list of consequences associated with hooning. It’s an equation that just doesn’t add up.”
RACT Insurance CEO, Trent Sayers
