Tasmanian drivers who use their cars to threaten, intimidate or terrorise other road users could face fines of up to $10,100 or six months in jail under a proposed new road rage offence.
The Police Offences Amendment Bill 2025 passed the House of Assembly on Tuesday.
It was introduced by Police Minister Felix Ellis and still needs to pass the Legislative Council before becoming law.
The bill would also give police stronger powers to crush and confiscate the vehicles of hoons and double penalties for car theft, assault and a range of property offences.
Ellis said the laws would make Tasmanian roads and communities safer.
“Tasmanians are fed up with hoons driving recklessly,” he said.
“This bill cracks down on menacing driving behaviour, including increasing powers to crush and confiscate an offender’s vehicle.”
The proposed road rage offence would cover drivers who use threatening or abusive language, gestures or behaviour that causes alarm, fear or distress to another road user.
Offenders would face up to 50 penalty units, around $10,100, plus possible vehicle clamping or confiscation.
Tasmania Police currently rely on charges such as negligent driving, common assault and property damage to deal with road rage incidents.
Penalties for motor vehicle theft would double to about $20,200.
Hooning penalties would also double, with disqualification periods rising from two years to four.
Police would gain new powers to clamp or confiscate vehicles based on “reasonable belief”.
Under the changes, officers could act on dashcam, CCTV or phone footage rather than having to witness the offence themselves.
Vehicles could be automatically forfeited to the Crown after a third offence.
Trespass with a firearm would become a standalone offence carrying up to three years in jail, a change pushed by TasFarmers to address poaching and rural diesel theft.
Common assault penalties would rise from 12 to 18 months imprisonment, while aggravated assault would increase to three years and $20,200.
Public transport and ferries would also be classified as public places, clarifying police powers on buses and Metro services.
In parliament, Liberal MP Michael Ferguson strongly backed the bill.
“If you don’t want to pay the fine, don’t do the crime,” he told the house.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Carlo Di Falco also supported the bill, particularly the tougher penalties for trespass with a firearm.
Labor’s Jen Butler supported the bill but questioned in parliament whether bigger fines would actually reduce crime.
“Is it preventative and effective?” she said.
Greens MP Tabatha Badger opposed it, telling the house the penalty increases lacked evidence.
“We know just increasing penalties by means of heavier fines and longer jail times won’t deter offending and reduce crime,” she said.
Independent MP Helen Burnet said the road rage offence was drafted too broadly and could capture minor conduct like honking a horn.
Ellis rejected those concerns during his summing-up speech.
He said the offence required a course of conduct and that police and the courts would use discretion.
“A momentary reaction, for example honking a horn, gesticulating or verbal expression of frustration, which I’m sure many of us have done, would be insufficient to establish the offence,” he told parliament.
The bill now moves to the Legislative Council for debate.
