Maybe the numbers in hooning haven't gone up much, but the devastating consequences have gotten more horrific. Its called "risk compensation". Cars are supposedly safer, so drivers take bigger risks. When it goes wrong, it goes wrong horrifically more so than previous years. The new technology (ABS, air bags etc) won't do you much good when people still get around with worn brakes, bald tyres, and generally unsafe cars. Its too easy to get your license and drivers are not experienced nor responsible enough for today's high powered cars.
10 years ago you didn't hear about a Skyline and WRX drag racing and crashing ... being ripped apart, and legs being ripped off. The hoons are making a bigger mess, so the media can't help but run their stories.
When hoons stop having horrific crashes, the media will have nothing to report.