By Briar Sinclair
WILLIAMSTOWN Traffic Management Unit (TMU) has already begun its annual hunt for hoons at summer burnout hotspots.
Sergeant Graeme Lee said last weekend police and Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) officers held Operation Detune, making roadworthy inspections on 47 vehicles.
“Out of that number, we had eight EPA notices issued and seven of those were for exhaust noise,” Sgt Lee said.
“Five penalty notices were issued along with 10 Victoria Police defect notices.
“We were surprised to see some of the vehicles did comply with the requirements, which is good to see.”
Sgt Lee said the failure to comply with regulation standards could amount to as little as driving with a damaged seatbelt, but the TMU was looking particularly at turbo-charged cars with noisy blow-off values.
He said that besides frightening people they were also dangerous.
“A normal valve blows off into the manifold and does not get into the atmosphere,” he said.
“With the blow-off valves, unburnt gas is vented into the engine compartment.”
Sgt Lee said the mixture of petrol vapours and air could cause a fire.
He said Operation Detune would run throughout the summer, patrolling for un-roadworthy or modified vehicles.
“With the warmer weather we are going to see more hoons and are going to step up operations to catch those who hang around this area.
“With recent council works, we hope to almost eradicate the problem from the area.”
Sgt Lee welcomed a state government move to introduce tougher hoon laws, which come into effect on 1 July next year, and involve impounding cars for periods of time.
“Woe be the person who is caught doing burnouts or donuts, as they like to call them, when the legislation is in place,” he said.
“Our suggestion to those who choose to do burnouts and donuts and drag races, and involve themselves in these acts, should modify their driving behaviour to become prudent drivers.
“It will only be a matter of time before they get caught.
“This new legislation when invoked will be used very diligently by my members,” Sgt Lee said.
Hobsons Bay City Council also has a local law in place that allows police to penalise foolish motorists up to $1600 for performing donuts, burnouts and unsightly skid marks the ‘hoons’ make across the city.
