By XAVIER SMERDON
VICTIMS of dangerous driving have expressed shock and outrage after hoons uploaded videos of themselves performing careless stunts in Werribee.
A video entitled ‘F*** up werribee’s st’s’ showing a white ute performing burnouts on a residential street was uploaded on the video sharing website YouTube.
The person that uploaded the video, who goes by the name BeeCee Clarke, also uploaded another video at an unknown date which shows a distinctive white ute with purple flames along its sides doing a dangerous burnout in what appears to be a backyard.
The burnout, performed in a small paved area, goes wrong when a rear tyre explodes, causing the person filming the video to duck for cover.
The driver continues to perform the burnout on a bare rim, sending sparks flying.
Margaret Markovic from Road Trauma Families Victoria, whose son Daniel was killed by a drunk driver, said she was “sickened” by the videos.
“It just makes my stomach churn,” Ms Markovic said.
“I don’t understand the mentality of someone that would do this and then upload it on the internet.”
Ms Markovic said hoons needed to be aware of the consequences of their actions.
“Only then will they know what the long term ramifications of this kind of behaviour for themselves and others can be,” she said.
“They need to understand that it’s going to end up with a terrible outcome, whether it’s tomorrow, next week or next year.”
Ms Markovic said legislation changes were needed to ensure dangerous drivers received harsher punishments.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said police regularly use YouTube videos to take action against hoons.
“Anyone posting a video on YouTube where laws are being broken should be aware that police are watching and will take action,” the spokesperson said.
“This type of dangerous driving is unacceptable.
“Hoon laws allow police to take away the most important thing to a dangerous hoon driver – their vehicle.”
The spokesperson encouraged anyone who witnesses dangerous driving or discovers a video or photos uploaded on social media should contact their local police station or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
