By NICOLE VALICEK
HOBSONS Bay Highway patrol’s two-month operation to target dangerous drivers on the Westgate Freeway will try to ensure the safety of drivers and road workers.
The specified targeted operation will target speed enforcement and dangerous driving on the Westgate Freeway over the next two months.
Acting Sergeant Graeme Crouch said there is a reduced speed limit put in place by the road works where concrete barriers have been erected for the safety of workers.
“What this means is that drivers now have a reduced margin for error and there is no emergency/break down lanes,” he said.
The speed limit west bound from the Westgate Bridge to the Western Ring Road is 80km/h and east-bound from the Western Ring Road to Millers Road.
Acting Sgt Crouch said police units would spend their shift on the freeway to detect unsafe drivers and drivers travelling at high speeds particularly when road works at night is occurring.
“Drivers need to take responsibility for their behaviour and think about possible consequences before travelling at high speeds.”
“We want to protect the road workers and make the freeway a safer place to travel on,” he said. “If a car did break down, we need that lower speed limit to give other drivers more time to avoid a collision.”
Acting Sgt Crouch said Hobsons Bay Highway Patrol was enforcing speeds on the Westgate Freeway last Sunday.
Officers caught a 25-year-old St Albans women travelling at 143km/h in the 80km/h zone, he said.
Police said the driver also recorded a Blood Alcohol level of .070 per cent.
Acting Sgt Crouch said her car was impounded for 30 days and she was charged via summons for drink-driving, speed dangerous, and exceed the speed limit.
“The Highway Patrol will show no discretion with anyone caught endangering not only their own lives but the lives of fellow road users,” he said.
