WA Police impounds 45 vehicles.

DoreSlamR · 01-07-2009, 09:59 PM

Caught this on the news, 45 cars have been impounded on the first day of a new law that has been introduced here in WA, where anyone caught driving without a license will get their car impounded for 28 days.

This is probably the best law I've seen introduced for quite some time.

I've always felt that the penalties for people driving without a license were way too lenient.

This should at least make most second think before driving now.

bloggs24 · 01-07-2009, 10:09 PM

If they dont have a licence i would most likely think the car wasnt theres, so who's really getting punished here?

Instead of taking the innocent car for 28 days, why not put them in some kind of boot camp for 28 days?

jaydee · 01-07-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloggs24

If they dont have a licence i would most likely think the car wasnt theres, so who's really getting punished here?

Instead of taking the innocent car for 28 days, why not put them in some kind of boot camp for 28 days?

What makes you say that, and then it would be the responsibility of the owner to make sure who ever drives your car has a license, because if not, no insurance.
As for a boot camp, how are you going to enforce that, they don't even do their community service or pay their fines and thumb their noses at the law, thats why they continue to drive.
Stiff bickies I say. One of the vehicles impounded was a Jiffy fast Food van & another was a mobile brake service vehicle, thats a bit rough on the companys but I guess they're going to have to check on their employees licenses regularly.

geckoGT · 01-07-2009, 10:17 PM

Whoever let them have the car deserves to lose it, impound it! In the absence of a stolen report of course (lodged prior to the impounding).

XD 351 Ute · 01-07-2009, 10:23 PM

Agreed.
No licence can usually mean thery have no insurance either, though I 'spose if you're done driving with no licence, then the insurance company will wipe you anyway.

Ed

DoreSlamR · 01-07-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydee

One of the vehicles impounded was a Jiffy fast Food van & another was a mobile brake service vehicle, thats a bit rough on the companys but I guess they're going to have to check on their employees licenses regularly.

Did you see the owner talking?

She was having a whinge about having to now check to make sure her drivers have a license!

Stupid woman should do that anyway, I mean she employs people who do nothing but drive, wouldn't assuring they have a license be the priority when employing them?

God forbid if he had an accident.

That'll learn her

bloggs24 · 01-07-2009, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydee

What makes you say that, and then it would be the responsibility of the owner to make sure who ever drives your car has a license, because if not, no insurance.
As for a boot camp, how are you going to enforce that, they don't even do their community service or pay their fines and thumb their noses at the law, thats why they continue to drive.

I didnt see the news so i dont know what kind of slack the drivers got, but from the original post, owner loses car for almost a month, driver walks away.

They thumb there noses at the law because the law wont do about them, taking someone elses car isnt going to stop them.

As for the boot camp, i was thinking a little more towards jail time at first, but not even that impacts much to people once there out.
Wouldnt be that hard to enforce, you dont go, you get a warrant put out on you, if you get caught by the local copper your in even more trouble. I mean courts can make people attend dui aa meetings, why not a bootcamp/

RSgerry · 01-07-2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloggs24

I didnt see the news so i dont know what kind of slack the drivers got, but from the original post, owner loses car for almost a month, driver walks away.

They thumb there noses at the law because the law wont do about them, taking someone elses car isnt going to stop them.

they lose their own car if thats the vehicle they are caught driving. how many times do you see an accident reported where the driver is unlicenced? these people, as you say, thumb their noses at the law. they simply dont care. taking their car away for 28 days when they do flout the law helps to keep them off the road.

CHEETR · 01-07-2009, 11:34 PM

i'm going through this atm, costing me thousands in legal bills.

i was pulled over and let go at random, then they caught up and pulled me over again to tell me my licence is suspended.

had just moved house and not changed my address(myfault) and a couple fines from 2 years ago that i never payed had finally had the demerit points removed off my name to which i wasn't aware.

drove the car home and got done again 1hour later.
2wice busted within a hour.

facing 3-12months jail if i'm convicted at worst case.. which kind of sucks as i need my licence for work.

something i will be certain to take care of next time, but a pretty costly mistake.

i think the impounding is a great rule though for those who are consistent offenders constantly doing it just because they can.

Road_Warrior · 01-07-2009, 11:42 PM

I saw this news report too. Good stuff.

It doesn't apply if your licence has been suspended because of unpaid parking fines either.

geckoGT · 01-07-2009, 11:44 PM

I have to ask, why did you drive the car after the police informed you of the problem with your licence? Did you not have any other options?

CHEETR · 01-07-2009, 11:47 PM

i was 1hour from home and had no choice - police said i could but it was to my discretion and it was a possibility i could get done again on the way home.

burnz · 01-07-2009, 11:47 PM

a great law that should be federal!!

burnz · 01-07-2009, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEETR

i was 1hour from home and had no choice - police said i could but it was to my discretion and it was a possibility i could get done again on the way home.

why do i get a feeling the police phoned ahead.

Spudz27 · 02-07-2009, 12:07 AM

I got caught with no licence once, but in fact I did have a licence their stupid computer was wrong. Regardless they let me use their phone to ring for someone to get me and take me into the city to sought out the problem.

Anyway good law, glad it does not apply if you forget to renew. I forgot once and it was 2 weeks later I was "Oh **** better go do it* Someone I know never got their licence but drove anyway with their kid in the car, got caught, fined and continued to drive anyway. I hope they get caught now.

Joshvee · 02-07-2009, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloggs24

I didnt see the news so i dont know what kind of slack the drivers got, but from the original post, owner loses car for almost a month, driver walks away.

They thumb there noses at the law because the law wont do about them, taking someone elses car isnt going to stop them.

As for the boot camp, i was thinking a little more towards jail time at first, but not even that impacts much to people once there out.
Wouldnt be that hard to enforce, you dont go, you get a warrant put out on you, if you get caught by the local copper your in even more trouble. I mean courts can make people attend dui aa meetings, why not a bootcamp/

I did see the story and most of the cars did belong to the person driving. It does work coz once everyone knows the new law and a few examples are made, everyone is gonna be checking lisences b4 lending their cars.

There was even a couple caught who actually had been living in their car for a few years. The guy was almost crying saying they took his home. Well he shouldn't have been driving without a license.

The new law is, 1st offence 28 days, 2nd offence 3 months and 3rd offence the police can ask the court to sell or crush it.

jaydee · 02-07-2009, 01:32 AM

One guy was on a life ban and 3rd time caught, it's idiots loke him that should be going to prison.
One chick also got caught in her boyfriends car, looked like an XR6 or 8, BA BF, not too sure, he'll be spewin.

Rodp · 02-07-2009, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEETR

i'm going through this atm, costing me thousands in legal bills.

i was pulled over and let go at random, then they caught up and pulled me over again to tell me my licence is suspended.

had just moved house and not changed my address(myfault) and a couple fines from 2 years ago that i never payed had finally had the demerit points removed off my name to which i wasn't aware.

drove the car home and got done again 1hour later.
2wice busted within a hour.

facing 3-12months jail if i'm convicted at worst case.. which kind of sucks as i need my licence for work.

something i will be certain to take care of next time, but a pretty costly mistake.

i think the impounding is a great rule though for those who are consistent offenders constantly doing it just because they can.

I wouldn't worry too much about it based on an episode of the Force I saw a few weeks back.

Habitual drunk driver (including an occasion that caused the death of a little girl) caught with an alcohol reading of .17 while speeding, given a couple of fines and extended the licence suspension a couple of years. Apparently the 3rd time he had been caught in a few months unlicenced and drunk behind the wheel and several times more since he contributed to the death of a girl on her bike. His stringent bail conditions? No drinking and no driving. I'd have thought breaking those stipulations on more than half a dozen occasions would have had him in the pokey... apparently not.

Harsher penalties on the individual are needed more than a confiscation of the car, IMO. An unlicenced driver shouldn't be on the road - just means you've likely only taken them off it for a maximum of 28 days.

fos408 · 02-07-2009, 07:58 AM

I think it is a bit stupid taking the work car if the employee has lost their license. What is the boss meant to check every morning that you still have your license. Some employees do not start from a base so the employer may not see them to ask and any way try doing that in a company that may have a large employee base that drive. The employee has decided not to tell the boss so why should the company suffer. Just plain stupid. Dont get me wrong i support the idea and reckon it should apply to drink drivers.

RG · 02-07-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fos408

I think it is a bit stupid taking the work car if the employee has lost their license. What is the boss meant to check every morning that you still have your license. Some employees do not start from a base so the employer may not see them to ask and any way try doing that in a company that may have a large employee base that drive. The employee has decided not to tell the boss so why should the company suffer. Just plain stupid. Dont get me wrong i support the idea and reckon it should apply to drink drivers.

Employers should have on record the expiry date of all employees D/L's if that is what they are employed to do, hell it isn't hard to enter a reminder into MS Outlook and set an alert for a week earlier. If the person loses their licence and doesn't inform the company then I would imagine that any responsible employer would have it written into their employee contracts that failure to notify is a dismissable offence.

Joshvee · 02-07-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fos408

I think it is a bit stupid taking the work car if the employee has lost their license. What is the boss meant to check every morning that you still have your license. Some employees do not start from a base so the employer may not see them to ask and any way try doing that in a company that may have a large employee base that drive. The employee has decided not to tell the boss so why should the company suffer.

Actually I have to agree a bit with this, it's hard for the employer to know if the employee has lost his license. So when an employer hires an employee and gives them a vehicle, be it a car, van or truck, the employer should register the employee on an internet based police database. Then if the employee loses their lisence, the employer gets an email informing them. This can all be done automatically by computer and over the net.

EDManual · 02-07-2009, 10:46 AM

When you can lose you licence for near nothing, for example if you are on your 12 month probation and you have your foglights (3 points), on accidentally here in VIC and that causes you to lose your licence, wouldnt you be annoyed about that and keep driving? I know I would as I would lose my job if i didnt, and possibly lose my house etc.
Am I more dangerous because I dont have a valid licence? Absolutely not.

Sure if you have lost it for Drink Driving or something serious, but its not fair otherwise. People should be able to risk having no insurance and just an extra fine for no licence.

;-)

Joshvee · 02-07-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDManual

When you can lose you licence for near nothing, for example if you are on your 12 month probation and you have your foglights (3 points), on accidentally here in VIC and that causes you to lose your licence, wouldnt you be annoyed about that and keep driving? I know I would as I would lose my job if i didnt, and possibly lose my house etc.
Am I more dangerous because I dont have a valid licence? Absolutely not.

Sure if you have lost it for Drink Driving or something serious, but its not fair otherwise. People should be able to risk having no insurance and just an extra fine for no licence.

;-)

OMG dude, when you have no lisence, you have no 3rd party insurance. That means if you hit my car and put me and my family in hospital, I have to pay all the bills. Hospital and car. If you kill me, my family gets nothing and my wife and kids have to struggle. If you damage someones property, That persons insurance has to pay which hikes up that persons premiums. Or if they dont have insurance they are stuffed even though it was ur fault. If your that stupid that you dont realise this, or that selfish that you dont care, then you shouldn't have a lisence in the first place. It's not your right to drive. Society allows you the privilege to drive so long as you agree to follow societies rules.

burnz · 02-07-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshvee

Actually I have to agree a bit with this, it's hard for the employer to know if the employee has lost his license. So when an employer hires an employee and gives them a vehicle, be it a car, van or truck, the employer should register the employee on an internet based police database. Then if the employee loses their lisence, the employer gets an email informing them. This can all be done automatically by computer and over the net.

very easy champ, as most drivers know when they apply for the job they must have an RTA printout done,
and the company get's the fine and/or notice that their vehicle was doing such n such (statdec transfer of fine) to driver.
which is easily to keep tally of points lost.

GTP owner · 02-07-2009, 12:46 PM

2 thoughts on why this law is not really all it's made up to be.
1. If you are an unlicenced driver who does not give a rats bum about anyone or the law, you would go out and buy an absolute death trap clunker and not bother to register it. It means that if you lose it - no big deal. The down side is that there would be more unregistered and dangerous cars out on the road.

2. Girlfriend is a p plater, loses her licence for 2 speeding infringements on same piece of road in 1 day. She is not a bad driver, but just got caught by the revenue raiders. She is too embarrased to own up to losing her licence because you will bag her out fiercely. So she drives you pride and joy home on saturday because you were too drunk - you lose the car for doinjg what you thought was the right thing.

Making harsher laws often gets the good guys. The anti hoon anti speed fraternity have mainly punished good people. The idiots that deserve the punishment will just walk away and do what they want

Joshvee · 02-07-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnz

very easy champ, as most drivers know when they apply for the job they must have an RTA printout done,
and the company get's the fine and/or notice that their vehicle was doing such n such (statdec transfer of fine) to driver.
which is easily to keep tally of points lost.

Oh we dont have RTA in W.A. but I'm sure we must have something equivelent. But this puts the responsibility on the employer to tally up the points. Big job if you have a lot of drivers. Much easier to have an automated system that informs the employer instantly (via email) that the driver has lost his licence. (yes I finally learnt how to spell licence lol)

Rodp · 02-07-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDManual

When you can lose you licence for near nothing, for example if you are on your 12 month probation and you have your foglights (3 points), on accidentally here in VIC and that causes you to lose your licence, wouldnt you be annoyed about that and keep driving? I know I would as I would lose my job if i didnt, and possibly lose my house etc.
Am I more dangerous because I dont have a valid licence? Absolutely not.

Seriously? That's what you're going with?

...and having your fog lights on 'accidentally'?

You've accumulated 15+ points on your licence, it certainly doesn't make you any safer to drive without a licence and you must have lost it for *something*.

...then there's the insurance implications if you're in an at fault accident.

I rely on my licence for my job as well, without it I couldn't do it. Therefore I minimise the risk of receiving demerits by trying to keep within the limits of the law - even more so if I was on the brink of losing my licence!

Rodp · 02-07-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshvee

that the driver has lost his licence. (yes I finally learnt how to spell licence lol)

I suggest you never frequent any American car forums from now on...

:

paule11 · 02-07-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDManual

When you can lose you licence for near nothing, for example if you are on your 12 month probation and you have your foglights (3 points), on accidentally here in VIC and that causes you to lose your licence, wouldnt you be annoyed about that and keep driving? I know I would as I would lose my job if i didnt, and possibly lose my house etc.
Am I more dangerous because I dont have a valid licence? Absolutely not.

Sure if you have lost it for Drink Driving or something serious, but its not fair otherwise. People should be able to risk having no insurance and just an extra fine for no licence.

;-)

I met someone years ago who had been caught driving without a licence 3 times on the 3rd time someone hit him from behind he ended up bearing the costs of repairs due to not being licenced or insured as well as a few weeks in jail . In jail he was nearly hit from behind again if it wasnt for a prison guard ,his experiences could have been a lot worse the actions you take today dertermines your future think about what could happen !

High_Octane · 02-07-2009, 03:19 PM

Luckily i have 3 cars. Oh wait a minute i have a license. Seriously i think it a good law so maybe those without a license will think before they drive now. What sort of mate would borrow your car without telling you they got no license anyway. If they do tell you and you lend it too them anyway then stiff bikkies if it gets impounded. Work vehicles should not be impounded but the owner notified to come and collect it. I am sure the driver will be some s*#t with their employer anyway which will probably bother them more than any fine imposed. Most of the people driving work cars would only be doing so to keep their jobs.