The acoustics of crime new ways of ensuring young people are not seen and not heard

In the past the reinforcement of road safety rules through the introduction of harsher penalties has largely been justified in Australia in terms of preventing serious injury and preserving life. Such changes have occurred during the last forty years to the regulation of alcohol consumption, speeding, wearing seat belts and giving way at intersections. But over the last ten years a new road problem has emerged: a range of behaviours collectively referred to as 'hooning'. Hooning is more often measured as excessive noise and loss of amenity rather than serious injury or loss of life. The anti- hooning legislation enacted in response to this problem has provided for motor vehicles to be confiscated and forfeited - measures previously considered controversial even in cases of serious repeat vehicle- related offences that caused death.