Sergeant Kevin Hickson from the Wyndham Highway Patrol. 81788 Picture: DAMJAN JAVESKI
RESIDENTS from the West are being called on to help stamp out hoon behaviour by working with police, their council and advocacy groups.
RoadSafe Westgate Community Road Safety Council, a group that works to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities in Wyndham, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong and Melton Shire, has urged residents to take a stand against hoons in their municipality as part of a new campaign.
The group is working with police and western suburbs councils to get the message across to residents of the correct way to report dangerous driving.
Senior Sergeant Ross Burbridge, an executive officer of RoadSafe Westgate and a senior police representative, said people needed to know what steps to take if they witnessed hoons driving dangerously.
“Residents are encouraged to join the campaign to stamp out hooning, by reporting dangerous driver behaviour in two ways,” Sen Sgt Burbridge said.
“The first is to report the activity to 000 whilst it is occurring. The report will be referred to a unit for attention. The unit will attend to apprehend and undertake the appropriate enforcement whilst the activity occurs.
“The second is to report behaviour to Crime Stoppers Hoon Hotline on 1800 333 000. Although people may not have all the information required, any details which may be used to identify a vehicle or driver will be useful.”
According to figures provided by Wyndham Council’s Traffic Management Unit, in the first four months of this year there have been five vehicles forfeited/destroyed relating to activity in Hobsons Bay, 11 in Melton, 5 in Wyndham and none in Maribyrnong.
“Experience has shown that the installation of a speed device does not necessarily stop hoon behaviour,” Sen Sgt Burbridge said.
“Hooning activity is an attitude by drivers. The attitude of these drivers needs to change rather than install speed treatments in every street where an incident is reported.”
For more information on the campaign visit www.roadsafe.org.au.
