Hume is the impound capital of Victoria, new police data reveals.
Police impounded 528 vehicles in Hume in 2024, according to impoundment statistics.
Police impounded 243 vehicles because the driver’s licence was disqualified or suspended, while 115 impounds were because the vehicle was being driven at more than 45km/h above the speed limit.
Sixty-one impounds were the result of unlicensed driving, 45 impounds related to a learner driver who was driving with a supervisor and 28 impounds were the result of the driver being found with a blood alcohol concentration of .10 of more.
In Whittlesea, police impounded 395 vehicles, with 181 impounds relating to someone driving while their licence was disqualified or suspended.
Fawkner Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Frank Cuce said removing unsafe drivers from the roads is an absolute priority for Victoria Police.
“It is astonishing how many people are prepared to breach the road rules, and blatantly commit serious traffic and criminal offences which warrants their cars being impounded,” he said.
“Taking away the ability of drivers to put others in danger is a powerful tool to prevent death and serious injury, and we will use these powers wherever necessary.
“Our ability to detect drivers who are suspended, disqualified or unlicensed has never been greater, particularly with the use of ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) technology.
“If you’re impaired or unlicensed, it’s very simple – you shouldn’t be behind the wheel.
“Anyone choosing to make these high risk decisions and drive dangerously on our roads should know this won’t be tolerated.
“It is never okay to go over the speed limit. Speed limits are in place for a reason, and everyday in the news we see the repercussions of road trauma and this type of behaviour. “
Police said that while it is up to the courts to decide what happens to an impounded car, people who engage in serious and dangerous behaviour should not expect they will get their car back – it could be crushed or destroyed.
While the 2024 impoundment rate in Hume was the highest in the state – ahead of Wyndham where 525 vehicles were impounded – it is the lowest impoundment rate in municipality since 2018.
Police data shows 690 vehicles were impounded in the municipality in 2023, 698 in 2022, 529 in 2021, 893 in 2020 and 844 in 2019.
