Victoria Police statistics reveal officers are impounding an increasing amount of vehicles each year - and this region is no exception.

By far the most common reason for cars being impounded across the police division - encompassing Ballarat, Golden Plains, Hepburn, Moorabool and Pyrenees - is the driver being unlicensed, disqualified or suspended.

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The number of cars impounded has continued to climb each year - from 58 across the division in 2009 to 408 in 2019.

So far this year, police have impounded 452 cars - an increase of 47.2 per cent since this time 12 months ago.

That is despite coronavirus restrictions limiting people to their homes for chunks of the year.

Of these, the number of cars impounded from disqualified or suspended drivers has increased by 62.8 per cent since this time last year, while the number from unlicensed drivers increased by 45.8 per cent.

Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Stuart Gale said many of these drivers - evidently willing to take risks by driving unauthorised - came into contact with police because of dangerous driving offences.

"Unauthorised drivers are generally high-risk takers on the roads and fit into the category of inappropriate use of vehicles and hooning," he said.

"The fact that there are so many unauthorised drivers on our road system with no regard for the law is concerning," he said, adding that Automatic Number Plate Reader technology fitted in highway patrol cars was making it easier for police.

Other common reasons for impounds include driving at dangerous and excessive speeds, drink driving and breaching interlock device conditions.

Other reasons include failing to have proper control and improper use of a motor vehicle - both hoon offences.

Senior Sergeant Gale compared reckless or 'hoon driving' to vandalism or tagging. He believes hoon drivers want to be recognised for their risky actions, with there often being an audience present so they feel 'validated'.

They also frequently record the behaviour and post it to social media.

He said hoon driving was dangerous, risky behaviour and the number of impounds highlighted that there were serious consequences.

"These are people who are prepared to take risks - risking their lives, vehicles and public property," he said.

"It's all about risk-taking for these people and they are prepared to take a risk for notoriety."

The legal consequences of hoon driving include hefty fines, penalties and even imprisonment.

Once identified, he said a hoon driver could be charged with criminal damage for the destruction of public property in addition to driving offences

Anti-hoon laws were introduced in Victoria in July 2006. These laws gave police powers to crack down on hoon drivers and impound, immobilise or permanently confiscate vehicles driven dangerously.

These laws have continued to be strengthened in the years since. A court can increase the period of impoundment for a second offence and upon a third, can make the decision to permanently confiscate the vehicle.

With this decision, the vehicle is disposed of in a manner determined by the Chief Commissioner of Police - it is either sold (with proceeds kept by the state) or crushed.

But Senior Sergeant Gale said the tragic consequences of the behaviour could be serious injury or death of the driver, any passengers or others in the area when the offending is taking place.

During the last few months, police have noted increased cases of excessive speed across the region - with numerous drivers clocked travelling at speeds of 160 or 170m/h.

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As well as hoon car drivers, police have also turned their attention to a group of motorcyclists in Ballarat who are behaving inappropriately on the roads.

Senior Sergeant Gale said police would take appropriate action if offences were detected to take dangerous motor vehicle drivers - whether of a car or motorbike - off the roads.

Addressing hoon driving is taking up an increasing amount of the highway patrol's time.

"It's certainly a distraction for us - I don't want to be concentrating on hoon driving at all because I think it's a pointless thing," he said.

"I don't want our focus to be there because it shouldn't be happening but the offending is so obvious and destructive that we have to take notice."

He encouraged people to report dangerous driving behaviour so police knew where to focus and could address it.

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