Dr John Reid, from the School of Psychology and Psychiatry at Monash University, said taking a driver's car away for a short period before giving it back could be counter-productive.

Dr Reid said threatening to crush a hoon driver's car, or making them sit a formal interview to get their car back, would be more effective.

Victoria Police statistics released last week revealed that since the introduction of anti-hoon laws 3? years ago, more than 10,000 vehicles have been impounded.

Seven of the top-10 suburbs for car impoundments were in Melbourne's west and northern suburbs.

The most common offences resulting in impoundment have been excessive speed and improper use of a vehicle. Ninety-six per cent of those who had their vehicles impounded were male, with an average age of 24.

Under existing hoon laws, police have the right to impound a driver's car for up to 48 hours.

But state Attorney-General and Deputy Premier Rob Hulls has flagged the introduction of harsher penalties, including crushing cars in extreme cases.

Moves would be made to extend anti-hoon laws whereby first-time offenders risk having their vehicle impounded or immobilised for a week. Second-time offenders face having their vehicle impounded for up to three months and third-time offenders risk losing their vehicle, which could be sold with proceeds going to victims of crime. Or if the vehicle was unsafe or illegally modified, it would be crushed.

Dr Reid said taking a driver's car away would have an immediate impact, but if given back too easily could be seen as something to brag about. "If they were made to answer questions about their hoon behaviour in a structured interview before their vehicle is released I think that would have much more impact than just going and picking it up.

"For a second offence making them go to a car crusher with police and watch their pride and joy be crushed would impact much more."