By Hamish Heard
HOON driving in Williamstown and Altona has come under the spotlight amid revelations that 70 cars have been impounded in Hobsons Bay since anti-hoon laws started in July.
The alarming statistic has fuelled concerns that other motorists or bystanders could soon fall victim to hoon driving at one of several hotspots throughout the municipality.
Police are urging residents to report irresponsible drivers by phoning a new Hoon Hotline in an attempt to stamp the problem out.
Senior police have also met representatives from Hobsons Bay City Council and the Member for Williamstown Wade Noonan in a bid to form a coordinated response to the hoon menace.
Williamstown Ward councillor Angela Altair said she had been swamped with residents’ complaints about dangerous driving at Battery Rd and along The Strand.
“It’s inevitable that someone will be seriously hurt or killed if these people continue driving like they have been,” Cr Altair said.
“As ward councillor and a Williamstown resident, I’m concerned about the significant safety issues posed by anti-social driving,” she said.
Hobsons Bay Inspector Michael Grainger said residents should view the high number of cars confiscated under the new hoon laws as a positive.
“I think it’s a positive trend because it’s indicative of the fact that our police are out there detecting offences and that we have the legislation to deal with offenders,” Insp Grainger said.
He said the number of confiscations reflected increased police patrols at hotspots including Battery Rd, Altona’s Esplanade.
“The fact that people are driving like that is clearly a matter of concern. However, people have been driving like that for a number of years,” he said.
He said police records showed people whose cars had been confiscated for a period of time were unlikely to reoffend.
Insp Grainger said drag racing was not a problem in Hobsons Bay and that most of the cases where cars had been impounded involved motorists spinning their wheels or speeding.
“It’s easy to lose control of a vehicle and by spinning your wheels you’re momentarily losing control of your vehicle and once that happens it’s highly possible you will cause damage to either yourself or someone else,” he said.
Insp Grainger urged anyone witnessing dangerous driving to phone the new Hoon Hotline on 9393 9552 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
“If people are able to pass on number-plate details, or give descriptions of the people driving, or their cars to the hotline, police can then duly investigate these details,” Inspector Grainger said.
Calls would be followed up by officers from the Williamstown traffic management unit, he said.
