By Alesha Capone
FOOTAGE posted on YouTube of a taxi performing dangerous and illegal driving stunts beside a Werribee road has outraged Wyndham police and the Victorian Taxi Directorate.
Three videos of the cab, discovered by Star, were uploaded onto the social media internet site.
In each of the film clips, which have been viewed more than 200 times in total, the taxi can be seen attempting to do a doughnut on the gravel verge beside a road, leaving a long cloud of dust behind the spinning vehicle.
In one of the recordings, another car drives past on the road, as the cab attempts the hoon stunt.
A comment on the videos, from the YouTube user who posted them said, “Enjoy in dayoff”.
When Star contacted Wyndham Highway Patrol about the footage, Leading Senior Constable Darin Sheahan confirmed the taxi has never been reported as stolen and was still registered as a cab.
“I think he’s trying to do a doughnut, which is illegal,” Leading Sen Const Sheahan said.
Leading Sen Const Sheahan said he would speak to the Victorian Taxi Directorate about the internet videos, but the perpetrators would be difficult to prosecute as proving exactly when the footage was filmed could be problematic.
“What’s concerning about that footage is there’s someone in the car with the driver,” Leading Sen Const Sheahan said.
“It’s obvious the driver has taken it upon himself to engage in dangerous driving and get the footage filmed and it doesn’t reflect well on the taxi industry.
“In my 17 years as an officer, I’ve never seen that in a taxi, it is a rare occurrence.”
A spokesperson for the Victorian Taxi Directorate (VTD) said they were “currently analysing the footage and will assist police in anyway it can”.
“The VTD was surprised and appalled by the video,” he said.
“We will also speak to the operator about the incident and, if the driver of the vehicle is an accredited taxi driver, the VTD will review the accreditation.
“Ultimately, this stupid stunt could cost the driver his livelihood.”
Leading Sen Const Sheahan said while performing the doughnuts, the taxi could have lost control on the gravel and spun onto the road, possibly colliding with another motorist.
He also said police frowned upon drivers who filmed hoon driving and posted the videos online.
“We don’t encourage it and unfortunately, that behaviour encourages younger drivers to drive in an unsafe manner,” he said.
