The term "Hoon" was first used in Australia at the turn of the 20th century where it referred to a man living off immoral earnings [1] (i.e. a pimp). The origin of its current usage is currently unknown but is widely believed to be a shortened form of "hooligan" [2]. In more recent times it has been used to describe any young male or female who drives in a manner which is anti-social towards the standards of modern day society. Generally, a hoon is any person who drives any vehicle dangerously and/or fast.

Governmental concerns

The term is so widespread in Western Australia that in 2004 the state government has brought in the Anti-Hoon LegislationThese laws intend to cut down on primarily young males causing auto accidents by excessive speed, street racing and/or illegal burnouts. Drivers caught doing particular behaviors targeted by the legislation will have the cars impounded for 48 hours on the first offence, regardless of the owner(the only exemption is of the car is stolen or hired)Anti-Hoon laws were also introduced in Victoria in July 2006. Offenders are liable to have their vehicle(s) confiscated and/or impounded, regardless of who owns the vehicle(s). Offences include "intentionally burning rubber", speeding, and "donuts". According to the ABC, over 130 vehicles had been confiscated as of 17 August 2006, and "more than half of the cars have been taken from probationary drivers."[3]In the twelve months after the anti-hoon laws were introduced, over 1000 cars were confiscated, the majority from probationary drivers. The anti-hoon laws have not been completely successful, however. Victorian Police tried to use them after they disrupted a large group of illegal street racers in Noble Park, Melbourne, sparking a riot when police attempted to seize a car. During the riot, a number of shops in the area were vandalised and rioters also attacked traffic that was going through the area at the time.On 12 November 2007, it was announced that car hoons will be penalised under a NSW government initiative to wreck the vehicles of offenders and publish video footage of the destruction. Premier Morris Iemma said the plan proposes to destroy hoons' cars in demonstration tests under controlled conditions.[4]On 4th December 2007, the NSW government announced car hoons could face potential jail time for aggravated street racing, burnouts and other dangerous driving offences [5]

References

• Australian Institute of Criminology, 1991, "Pimps and patrons : the "boys" in the business"[6]
• Wheels magazine, April 2004, "Hoon: every driver's nemesis", pp64-9.
• The Gold Coast Bulletin, Wednesday, 11 January 2005, pp31-2, "Queensland's traffic nightmare".
• NSW Parliament: Street and Illegal Drag Racing
• Queensland Government informative booklet AQ-6B (2005) "Hoons and street racers - what you need to know." Edited by D.Gribbs and A.Hawkesbury, foreword by Premier Peter Beattie.
• The US automotive blog Jalopnik has adopted the term as the title for their automotive mayhem category.
• Car Advice: Tough new Anti-Hoon laws for NSW

See also

• Boy racer
• Street racing
• Rice burner
• Import scene
• Petrolhead

Pejorative terms for peopleAustralian cultureNew Zealand cultureDrivingSlang