“Shredded Rubber and Churned Up Grass or Whatever it Might Be …” Risks and Harms Associated With Nuisance (Hoon) Driving in Victoria, Australia

Abstract

The term ‘hoon’ is commonly used in Australia in relation to certain types of nuisance driving. This article draws from a multi-modal study, initiated by Victoria’s Department of Justice and Community Safety, which engaged directly with hoon drivers and the wider community to explore motivations for, and consequences of, hoon driving. The article examines reported and perceived risks and harms associated with two specific categories of hoon driving: unlawful organised gatherings and spur-of-the-moment stunts, such as donuts, skids, and burnouts. It reports findings from an anonymous online survey (n = 1,209), focus groups (n = 18), and soundbite interviews (n = 49).

There was limited evidence of a strong association between the hoon driving activities analysed in this study and tangible physical harms (i.e., reported crashes causing injury and/or property damage). But the perceived risk/s and potential for physical harm were emphasised repeatedly, particularly by non-hoon driver participants. Environmental and amenity-based harms were identified as more notable and enduring consequences, with attention drawn to noise, road damage, and general detritus. Those who engage in hoon driving generally perceived the level of enforcement and associated legal risks to be low.

The findings highlight the value and importance of engaging directly with hoon drivers to better understand their reported motivations and experiences and to help inform ongoing policy development and community responses more broadly, particularly in relation to perceptions of risk and harm.