Day of reckoning for road ragers

20 August 2026

Felix Ellis, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management

The day of reckoning has arrived for road ragers and hoons after the Tasmanian Parliament passed tough new laws to crack down on dangerous driving.

The Police Offences Amendment Bill 2025 creates a new road rage offence, increases penalties for hooning and delivers greater powers to crush and confiscate vehicles.

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis said the new laws put TikTok turkeys on notice.

“As part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future, we’re making our roads safer and protecting the community from those who think they’re above the law,” Minister Ellis said.

“This Bill increases penalties for motor vehicle stealing, cracks down on menacing driving behaviour and delivers increased powers to crush and confiscate the vehicles of repeat offenders.

“These important reforms will give police new powers to act where CCTV, phone or dashcam footage captures offending.

“Tasmanians are fed up with hoons driving recklessly, and our message is clear: hoons will pay the price for their behaviour.”

The Bill also increases penalties by 50 percent for a number of offences, including trespassing while in possession of a firearm and assaulting a pregnant woman.