By Vanessa Chircop
HOON drivers will again be the target of Hobsons Bay City Council and local police as the weather heats up.
Hobsons Bay has so far recorded a fatality free year and the council and Victoria Police would like to keep it that way.
Hobsons Bay Mayor Michael Raffoul said the increased regulations on hoon drivers and road safety strategies helped put the squeeze on hoons but there is always more that can be done.
“We have come a long way since the introduction of the Victorian hoon laws five years ago but we need to continue to be proactive to ensure the message gets though,” Cr Raffoul said.
“To deter dangerous and careless driving on our roads, the council has installed a roundabout at the corner of the Esplanade and Victoria streets Williamstown, installed speed humps, extended the trialled alcohol free zones across the municipality and completed the Williamstown South Local Area Traffic Management plan.
“The council will again install temporary bollards in the Esplanade from early November and, in conjunction with the Altona Traders, will hire security to monitor activities around local hotspots and popular areas in Altona during summer.”
Hobsons Bay Inspector Bill Mathers said police and the council continued to work hard to reduce fatalities and injuries resulting from motor car accidents.
He urged residents to report hoon driving to police.
“One of the biggest weapons we have against hoons is an active and vigilant community,” he said.
“As we did last summer, the focus will be on visible policing.
“We will again deploy additional resources for the summer period including a police surveillance van, fitted with 360 degree view surveillance cameras as well as a police motorcycle and mounted branch.”
Residents should report hoon drivers to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
