On patrol … Brimbank Highway Patrol Sergeant Rod Stein is out to catch dangerous drivers. 59370 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Belinda Nolan
IN MORE than two decades patrolling the West’s roads, Brimbank Highway Patrol Sergeant Rod Stein has seen just about everything.
From crazy cars to dim-witted drivers and horrific crashes, there’s not much that surprises Sgt Stein.
“I’ve seen cars that should be at the wreckers but people are still driving them,” Sgt Stein said.
“I’ve seen tyres so bald that the wire heads are showing through, and cars where none of the seats are secured so every time the driver accelerates or brakes the seats fly around.”
A police officer for 40 years, Sgt Stein has been at the helm of highway patrol units for most of his career.
“It can be quite a frustrating job to have,” Sgt Stein said.
“I’m constantly amazed by the stupidity of some people who continually put their own lives and other people’s at risk.
“When you see young people driving at 150 or 200 kilometres an hour you have to wonder at their mental state.”
In an average week Sgt Stein and his team prosecute 100 to 200 people found to be flouting road laws.
Their mission is to reduce road trauma in the municipality by taking dangerous drivers off the road.
Last year the unit celebrated a 24 per cent reduction in serious injuries on the city’s roads.
On a daily basis members of the unit can be called on to attend a major collision, or conduct an operation to catch rogue drivers.
During decades of service, Sgt Stein has seen more fatalities than he cares to remember.
“It can be very upsetting, especially when there are kids involved,” Sgt Stein said.
“Trauma is something that affects not only the person involved but their family, friends and the wider community.
“One of the worst jobs police have to do is the death message, where we knock on someone’s door and tell them their loved one has died.
“It’s a horrible thing to have to do and that’s why we’re so serious about what we do.
“As far as we’re concerned, one death on Brimbank’s roads is too many.”
