With vehicle clampings on the rise, Tasmania Police are adding to their supply of steering wheel clamps to keep dangerous drivers off the road.
Police clamped 175 vehicles in the 2024–25 financial year, up slightly from 147 the year before – with many clamps tied up for months at a time.
More than 100 vehicles were clamped for 28 days, while 21 were locked down for nine months and 19 were clamped indefinitely.
Southern Road Policing Services Acting Inspector Rebecca Sulman said officers have the discretion to clamp vehicles when drivers break the law.
“Clamps are an important tool for our officers, ensuring that drivers caught doing the wrong thing and driving in a reckless or dangerous manner can face strong and immediate ramifications for their actions,” she said.
Of the 175 clampings, 60 were for hooning, 49 for non-aggravated police evasions, 23 for disqualified driving and 22 for aggravated evasions.
16 vehicles were clamped for speeding more than 45 km/h over the limit, while three were clamped for dangerous or reckless driving.
Acting Inspector Sulman said the extra clamps will keep enforcement strong, as statewide traffic offences jumped 22% in the last financial year.
“You won’t know where and when police will be out on the roads, but you can be sure when you engage in that dangerous behaviour and you are apprehended by police, then strong penalties will apply,” she said.
“This includes the potential that your vehicle could be clamped.”
