By ALESHA CAPONE
BRIMBANK police, who have impounded more than 155 vehicles under the state’s anti-hoon legislation this year, have slammed an internet video showing a Keilor Downs hoon driver .
From 1 January to 31 May this year, the Brimbank Highway Patrol confiscated 157 vehicles – an average of about one hoon per day.
Acting Sergeant Adam Wojcik said more than 90 of the vehicle’s owners lived within the Brimbank area.
Eighty-five drivers were caught driving while disqualified or suspended, 17 exceeding the speed limit by 45km or more and 16 doing burnouts.
Acting Sgt Wojcik has condemned an online video titled, ’Crazy driver in Keilor Downs back streets’, which was posted on YouTube earlier this year and uncovered in a special Star investigation.
The 2.12 minute-long video shows a girl sitting in the front passenger seat of a car as it speeds along a house-lined road and past a children’s crossing, swerving onto the wrong side of the road and doing illegal driving tricks.
Acting Sgt Wojcik said police “certainly do not condone or want to see this type of behaviour on any road”.
“For the obvious reasons that it puts themselves, other drivers, pedestrians and sometimes the police in danger of being seriously injured or killed,” he said.
“It is reckless behaviour, and it will not be tolerated.
“If people can be identified from the footage, most certainly they can be prosecuted with serious traffic and in some circumstances criminal matters. The footage can be used as evidence.”
Acting Sgt Wojcik said Brimbank police conducted regular operations targeting hoons and “are always on the lookout for this type of behaviour”.
“It is zero tolerance if caught, and their car will be impounded for 30 days on the spot,” he said.
“They do need to realise that it only takes one small error on the driver’s part for the hooning to end in tragedy.”
Acting Sgt Wojcik’s plea for people to drive safely comes after Sergeant Kevin Hickson of the Wyndham Highway Patrol last week encouraged parents, siblings and friends of dangerous drivers to call Crime Stoppers if they have any information.
Anyone who witnesses hoon behaviour should also call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
