Tougher new laws are set to crackdown on police evasions, which Tasmania Police say are now at “epidemic” levels.
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This week, the Tasmanian government will introduce legislation into Parliament to enable tougher penalties for those who evade police.
The proposed new laws will enable police to investigate who was driving the car, question the car’s owner, increase monetary and prison penalties, and a longer time frame for prosecuting.
In recent years, Tasmania Police has recorded a significant increase in police evasion cases, with numbers rising from about 400 instances a year to 800.
Police Minister Rene Hidding said the current laws almost encouraged offenders to evade police.
“What happens now is that, particularly younger people, drive around in a car, often stolen, trying to bait police into chasing them because they enjoy the notoriety of getting away from police,” Mr Hidding said.
“[The new laws mean] that even if someone successfully evades police, they can still be arrested at a later stage and have their vehicle clamped or seized.
“When the blue light goes on, you’ve got a choice between the accelerator or the brake, if you chose the accelerator, you’re going to be in a world of hurt.”
Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Glenn Frame said instances of police evasion had increased as offenders knew their actions had no consequences.
“It certainly provides additional opportunity for us to investigate and to hold these people to account,” he said.
“We’re not the only policing jurisdiction struggling with this approach, it’s right across Australia, right across the world.”
It is set to be another big week in Tasmanian Parliament this week, with funding for students with disabilities to be questioned.
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor will use Private Members Time to call on more to be done for students living with a disability.
“Too many students with a disability in Tasmania are missing out, that’s impacting on their life prospects,” Ms O’Connor said.
Opposition spokeswoman Madeleine Ogilvie will continue to call on Treasurer Peter Gutwein to table a letter about the Tamar Valley Power Station.
The calls came as the Legislative Council prepare to debate the issue this coming week.
