Dr John Reid, of the School of Psychology and Psychiatry at Monash University, said just 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 hoons attend a formal interview to get their car back would be more effective.

Victoria Police figures released last week reveal ?more than 10,000 vehicles had been impounded since anti-hoon laws were introduced 3? years ago.

Seven of the 'top 10' suburbs for impoundments were in Melbourne's west and northern suburbs. The most common offences were excessive speed and improper use of a vehicle.

Ninety-six per cent of those to have had their vehicles impounded were male, with an average age of 24.

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

However, Attorney-General Rob Hulls has flagged harsher penalties, including crushing cars in extreme cases.

Dr Reid said taking a hoon's car away would have an immediate impact, but if they were given back too easily it 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.

"Simply taking it away [for a period] can be counter-productive. To make it a bigger deal and with a warning that you and your car are going to the crushers would be better."

Dr Reid said that with most offenders still in adolescence, risk-taking and hoon driving was a neurological issue as much as a psychological one.

The adolescent brain, particularly of males, was not as efficient at processing consequential judgement as an adult. "So many of these guys are 23, 24 or 25; they are still in the stage where they are establishing their pack order status. They are almost always males and it's a sign of immaturity."

Self-confessed hoon driver BJ, who spoke to the Hume Weekly and wanted his full name withheld, welcomed the harsher penalties.

He said there was less care and sentiment in society in general, and he wanted penalties to be stronger.

He claimed he was a "different" sort of hoon driver. "I used to work in motor sport and enjoy the work I put into my car and enjoy testing it out on the road. I don't do it when anybody else is in the car or when I'm around other motorists."