Tasmanian Police Association says 'motor vehicles are being used as weapons'

His comments come after an incident in Launceston where a driver allegedly attempted to flee from police, smashing into an unmarked police car and escaping on foot before he was eventually arrested and taken into custody.

Mr Allen said “the sooner these incidents are ended the better”.

“I have said time and again, motor vehicles are being used as weapons, and there is plenty of evidence to prove just how dangerous a weapon they can be,” he said.

“There has to be serious consequences for this behaviour, this affects everyone and everyone needs to be a part of the solution.”

Mr Allen called on the state government to provide police with the “necessary tools” to deal with police evaders.

“It is inevitable that public opinion will force changes and money will have to be spent by the government in relation to the issue,” he said.

In March, the state government announced a “crackdown” on evasion with about 800 cases of drivers avoiding police in Tasmania each year.

The new laws passed and saw the maximum penalty for a first offence increase from two years to three and the maximum penalty for a second offence increase to five years.

A Launceston man appeared in court on Thursday charged with a number of offences following the recent evade incident.

The 23-year-old was charged with common assault, breaching a police family violence order, evading police, reckless driving, driving while his license was suspended, trespass and destroying property.

He was remanded to reappear on September 21.