Committee members Sophie Ramsey, from left, Cr Kim McAliney, Sgt Trevor Poulton, Sgt Jason Van Doren, Snr Sgt Ross Borbridge, Bill Tehan and Jim Giddings. 70743 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By XAVIER SMERDON
A GROUP of police, politicians and like-minded industry experts are donating their time and energy in an attempt to try put an end to the horrific crashes that have caused widespread grief across the western suburbs this year.
The RoadSafe WestGate Community Road Safety Council (RWCRSC) has been working to educate drivers on the dangers of drink-driving, speeding and hooning for almost 20 years.
Their message for improved education and greater resources for law enforcers is more important than ever with increasing numbers of fatalities on our roads.
Deputy Chair of the Council, Senior Sergeant Ross Burbridge, said the community deserved the right to feel safe when they get behind the wheel, making hoon drivers one of the group’s biggest targets.
“People in the community are fed up with this type of behaviour,” Sen Sgt Burbridge said.
“It does make them feel unsafe when they see people hooning around.”
Chairman Jim Giddings said the members were motivated to make a difference by the fatalities seen on roads across the West.
“The stupidity that you see on the roads motivates us even more to curb the outrageous behaviour we see,” Mr Giddings said.
“This stuff is very concerning to the local community and that’s why we’re taking these issues on.”
Wyndham City Councillor and member of the RWCRSC, Cr Kim McAliney, said the group would continue to advocate for greater resources to help police catch hoons.
“Hoon driving is happening between 12 and three in the morning and we’ve got to have more resources for police to work in that area,” Cr McAliney said.
“People, particularly elderly people, are scared. They’re lying in bed and they can hear the noises the hoons make in the streets. “
The RWCRSC has created many programs to try and curb the road toll such as Fit2Drive, which raises awareness in young people of the risks and factors that contribute to crashes, and Looking After Your Mates, an alcohol education session.
For more information on the RWCRSC visit www.roadsafe.org.au and follow the links to the group.
