These two vehicles were impounded within an hour of each other on 9 May by Yarra Ranges TMU.By Kath Gannaway
DRIVERS doing more than twice the speed limits in 50 and 70 speed zones are a daily occurrence on Yarra Ranges’ roads.
And, that’s not the only driving Sergeant John Morgan, officer in charge of Yarra Ranges Traffic Management Unit (TMU), labelled “plain stupid”.
Last week, after a four-day routine shift by one TMU member, three vehicles were impounded and charges laid for speeding, road rage, drunk driving, dangerous driving and other traffic offences.
Sgt Morgan says it’s a pattern of behaviour which defies statistics showing injury collisions in Yarra Ranges are down by 18.18 per cent on the same time last year, and non-injury collisions down by 56 per cent.
“It has simply been a matter of good luck that we haven’t had more people killed on our roads,” he told the Mail.
“Let me give you an idea of some of the things that just one of my members has dealt with in the last week,” a clearly frustrated Sgt Morgan offered.
Day 1: A 19-year-old Lilydale man doing a five- to seven-second burnout on Maroondah Highway.
Day 2: Collision which turned out to be a road-rage incident. A 32-year-old Launching Place man who rammed another vehicle has been charged with reckless conduct and other traffic offences.
Day 3: A 29-year-old Mitcham man, travelling at 140km/h in a 70-zone and 110km/h in a 50-zone, will face charges and have his vehicle impounded.
Day 4: A 44-year-old Mt Evelyn man riding his Harley motorbike at 125km/h in a 70-zone along Monbulk Road had his bike impounded and was charged with drink driving, speeding, dangerous driving and other offences.
And, a 19-year-old Mooroolbark man driving a friend’s car at 120km/hh in a 50 zone was intercepted by police. His own car will be impounded under substitution legislation and he will face charges relating to drink driving, dangerous driving, false number plates, driving while suspended and other offences.
“This is just a snapshot of what my members are dealing with on a daily basis,” Sgt Morgan said, “and it’s indicative of what they deal with right across Yarra Ranges.
“To say these people are idiots is a gross understatement but unfortunately appropriate adjectives elude me,” he said showing restraint, rather than a lack of vocabulary.
“Any one of these incidents could have resulted in a fatal or multiple fatalities. I’d like to get some of these guys and drag them along to either the morgue or The Alfred hospital so they can see what happens to a body involved in a serious motor car collision,” he added.
“It’s not pretty and we’ve all seen too many.”
Sgt Morgan said the dollar cost to offenders is significant with towing and impoundment fees around $560 and fines of up to $1000 depending on the charges.
The personal cost can also be hefty with one man facing serious charges currently on remand and others looking at penalties, which include a jail term.
Members of the public should report dangerous or anti-social driving to ‘000’ and endeavour to get a licence plate number and description of the car and driver.
