By Natalie Gallenti-Brekalo
Melton highway patrol police have impounded 20 vehicles this year as motorists continue to flout road rules and risk the lives of other drivers.
Leading Senior Constable Allan Edwards said that on the first two days of May, two drivers had their Holden Commodore sedans impounded and would face Sunshine Magistrates Court later this year.
The first offender was intercepted on Plumpton Road, Plumpton, and found to be unlicensed and with a prior conviction for the same offence.
The second driver was clocked at 112km/h in High Street. He was not displaying P plates and was driving a vehicle fitted with a V8 engine, which is prohibited for probationary licence holders. His vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
Two other drivers had their vehicles impounded on the same two days and their licences revoked after testing well above legal alcohol levels.
Meanwhile, drivers are being warned that police will be taking a zero tolerance approach on the roads as Operation Manner hits the streets.
The operation is being run by the Melton
and Brimbank highway patrols, the state highway patrol and police operations response unit.
Leading Senior Constable Edwards said the operation would concentrate on the Western Freeway, Deer Park Bypass and adjoining roads, with an emphasis on speeding, tailgating, failing to keep left unless overtaking, and distraction offences including using mobile phones. He said the operation would involve extra police units being deployed and a significant increase in resources available to patrol traffic on major local roads.
He hopes the operation will result in a significant decrease in collision rates and in collision severity at a time when road conditions are deteriorating due to poor weather and fewer daylight hours.
“The Western Freeway accounts for a significant percentage of all collisions in Melton city, with a large number of those being as a result of following too closely to the vehicle in front or being distracted,” he said.
He reminded drivers to keep a two-second gap between themselves and the vehicle in front and always remain in the left lane on a multi-lane highway unless overtaking.
