Police were called to the boat ramp on the night of September 14 following reports of a driver performing burnouts while passengers were riding in the ute’s tray.
Police immediately impounded the vehicle for 30 days at a cost of $1445.
The man, a 31-year-old from Moama, was later arrested before being charged with reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury and failing to have proper control of a vehicle.
He was granted bail and is expected to face Echuca Magistrates’ Court on January 5, 2027.
Echuca police Acting Inspector Damian Keegan warned dangerous driving would not be tolerated.
“Hoon driving isn’t harmless fun. It puts the driver, passengers, spectators and completely innocent road users at risk,” he said.
“The consequences can be severe. You can lose your car, lose your licence, face significant fines and potentially end up before the courts.”
While traditional hoon behaviour such as burnouts and deliberately losing traction was not considered a widespread problem across Campaspe, Insp Keegan said police continued to target drivers putting lives at risk.
He said Victoria’s vehicle impoundment laws extended well beyond traditional hooning and could capture serious traffic offending, including excessive speeding, drink and drug driving and unlicensed driving.
“The use of impoundment powers provides an important deterrent and contributes to improved road safety outcomes across the Campaspe area,” he said.
And Insp Keegan had a blunt message for drivers who thought they could avoid being caught.
“CCTV, dashcam footage, number plate recognition and information from the community can all help us identify vehicles and drivers,” he said.
“We have the intelligence, technology and policing tactics to identify offenders and hold them to account.”
Victoria Police Highway Patrol vehicles are equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology capable of scanning more than 8500 vehicles an hour and alerting officers to vehicles of interest.
Police also conduct local and statewide operations targeting hoon behaviour and dangerous driving.
Drivers convicted of hoon-related offences can face fines, licence loss and vehicle impoundment, while some offences can result in imprisonment.
Police are urging residents to help get dangerous drivers off local roads.
Anyone who witnesses hoon activity as it happens should call 000.
Dashcam or CCTV footage of intentional high-risk driving can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
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