By ALESHA CAPONE
MORE than 150 drivers have been caught breaking the law in an anti-hoon operation which was conducted across four nights by Brimbank police.
Operation Evergreen took place during two weeks of April and May, with a total of 153 offences detected in Albanvale, Deer Park, St Albans and Taylors Lakes.
Brimbank Highway Patrol Sergeant Rod Stein said 55 of the motorists were caught speeding.
“Nine were doing more than 25 kilometres above the speed limit on main roads,” he said.
One person was caught drink-driving, more than 20 drivers were detected travelling in unregistered vehicles, four not wearing seatbelts and two using mobile phones.
In addition, police officers impounded three cars as part of Operation Evergreen under Victoria’s anti-hoon laws.
A 24-year-old man from Burnside Heights had his vehicle confiscated after police caught him doing a burn-out.
A 22-year-old Keilor Downs man driving with a suspended licence and an unlicensed driver from Melton, aged 25, also had their vehicles impounded.
Sgt Stein said police launched Operation Evergreen in response to residents’ complaints.
“We had some calls from local residents concerned about hoon activity late at night,” he said.
“We did some pre-work in the month before the operation to see what was happening in relation to hoons in Taylors Lakes, Albanvale and western St Albans.
“We’re not saying we’ve solved the problem and we will go back in the future to see if it’s changed, but while we were there we did make an impact and we will run more operations in the future.”
Sgt Stein said five L-plate drivers and eight P-platers were caught in the operation.
“My unit is very pro-active against hoons across the whole municipality,” he said.
“We do have one of the highest impound rates in the state, which is because we actively target that kind of activity.”
Sgt Stein said the Highway Patrol’s main focus was to cut the road toll and injury on the roads, and help ensure driver safety.
“Quite simply, roads are not a place to misbehave on,” he said.
“If you hoon, we will catch you.”
Anyone with information on hoons can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
