Smart move for traffic cops

By Kath Gannaway
MOTORISTS can’t say they didn’t see it coming.
The Yarra Ranges Traffic Management Unit’s smart car was turning heads last week as it patrolled in Healesville just after day-break … and late at night!
Leading Senior Constables John Saddington and Andrew Shenton have been deployed for a four week stint from the Healesville police station in response to what Leading Sen Const Saddington described as “an upbeat in anti-social behaviour in the town”.
Police statistics released last week for the two years since the hoon legislation was introduced in 2006 show 13 Healesville drivers had their cars impounded.
Healesville police, however, impounded their first car just 12 months ago after contracts were signed with local towing companies.
Leading Sen Const Saddington agreed the lairy smart car is a bit hard to miss but that will be no consolation to the disqualified driver, the suspended driver, the two unregistered drivers and the several drivers who were booked by the early-bird coppers on Wednesday morning alone.
Last week was a warning of things to come.
“We’re using the overt approach for a week and a bit to give people the idea that we are going to be about then we’ll be moving to unmarked cars.
“The idea behind the early morning patrols is simply that people don’t think when you’re on your way to work you don’t see coppers.
“The fact that people don’t see us doesn’t mean we’re not there,” he said.
Police want the help of residents to catch hoon drivers by phoning 000 to report any anti-social driving.
Leading Sen Const Saddington said the cars will be on the roads – not always as visible as the smart car – but with a better than ever chance of providing a swift response.