Tasmania Police is boosting its road safety push, with extra wheel clamps being rolled out across the state to put the brakes on drivers caught hooning or driving dangerously.
The new clamps - specialised locking devices fitted to a vehicle's steering wheel – will be distributed between road policing services in the Western, Northern and Southern districts.
Southern Road Policing Services Acting Inspector Rebecca Sulman said the use of wheel clamps sent a strong message on road safety.
"Clamps are an important tool for our officers, ensuring that drivers caught doing the wrong thing and driving in a reckless or dangerous manner can face strong and immediate ramifications for their actions," she said.
"If police choose, vehicles can be clamped then and there on the side of the road."
In 2024-25, Tasmania Police clamped 175 vehicles due to road offending by drivers, including 60 that were clamped specifically for the offence of hooning. This compares with 147 vehicles (total) and 51 (hooning) clamped in the previous 12 months.
Other traffic offending in which Tasmania Police clamped vehicles in 2024-25 included:
• Dangerous and reckless driving x 3
• Disqualified driving x 23
• Evade police, (non-aggravated) x 49
• Evade police, (aggravated) x 22
• Speeding in excess of 45km/h x 16
Acting Inspector Sulman said road safety was a key priority for Tasmania Police, with officers making a concerted effort to increase their presence on state roads and conduct policing activities that reduce road trauma.
Tasmania Police data shows an increase of about 22 per cent in the number of traffic offenders caught in the most recent financial year, compared with the previous year.
"Our officers remain committed to policing those factors known to contribute to road trauma, including dangerous driving, excessive speed and distraction," Acting Inspector Sulman said.
"If you are behind the wheel of a car and you engage in hooning behaviour, if you drive in a reckless and dangerous manner and if you drive to excessive speed, you are putting yourself, your passengers and other road users at risk.
"You won't know where and when police will be out on the roads, but you can be sure when you engage in that dangerous behaviour and you are apprehended by police, then strong penalties will apply. This includes the potential that your vehicle could be clamped."
Among the total 175 clamping incidents in the past financial year, more than 100 drivers had their vehicles clamped for a period of 28 days.
In 21 instances, cars were clamped for nine months due to more serious offending, while 19 were clamped indefinitely.
The southern district had the highest number of hooning-related clamping incidents with 35.
If you see hooning or dangerous driving, report it to police on 131 444 or triple zero (000) if there is an emergency or life-threatening situation.
You can also report anonymously to Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 and upload video or photos online at www.crimestopperstas.com.au
Tasmania Police trainee Constable Brandon McTigue, left, and Constable Michael Karena with steering wheel clamps. (Picture: Tasmania Police)
