Birthday

By Lia Bichel
SIXTEEN collisions, several dozen speedsters, and a handful of drink drivers kept Casey Traffic Management busy during Operation Aegis on the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
In four days, Casey TMU detected 189 offences, which was shocking considering the operation was publicised before it was executed, Casey TMU Sergeant Pat McGavigan said.
“People were advised we would be out in full force, it wasn’t a secret,” Sgt McGavigan said.
“I didn’t think there would be that many people that had a blatant disregard for road rules.”
From 3pm on Friday 5 June until 11.59pm on Monday 9 June, Casey police attended 16 collisions including four involving injuries; and caught more than 21 people using their mobile phones while driving and 27 people not wearing seatbelts.
Police also detected five drink drivers, including a 41-year-old Harkaway man who registered .131, and nabbed more than 70 speedsters.
“We conducted 292 breath tests over the weekend. We held a random breath testing in Berwick, and within the first 10 minutes of setting up, we caught three drink drivers,” he said.
“It’s pretty disappointing. We had only set up and had already caught people – which shows that more people are drink driving.”
Two out of the 70 speedsters had their cars impounded. One person was caught driving 137km/h in an 80km zone on the Princes Highway, and another disqualified driver was nabbed going 122km/h in an 80km zone in Cranbourne South, Sgt McGavigan said.
Statewide Operation Aegis was responsible for taking 325 drink drivers off the roads.
Police nabbed 89 P-plate drink drivers exceeding .00 per cent, 204 drink drivers who exceeded .05 per cent, 25 people who refused a breath test and seven people driving under the influence of alcohol.
They also caught 152 disqualified drivers, 311 unlicensed drivers, 3508 speeding motorists, 144 drivers who disobeyed traffic signals, 281 drivers who disobeyed traffic signs, 330 drivers not wearing the seatbelt and 396 more using mobile phones.
Deputy Commissioner (Traffic and Transit Safety) Ken Lay said the results highlighted that some drivers were still not getting the message.
“Many people think they will not get caught doing the wrong thing, but these frightening statistics highlight that drivers still insist on drinking and driving and speeding on our roads.”
Deputy Commissioner Lay said the operation might have come to an end but Victoria Police’s emphasis on road safety has not.
“We will continue to target drunk and dangerous drivers throughout 2009.”
Sgt McGavigan agreed that Casey TMU members would maintain road safety efforts.
“We will be thinking of different ways to detect offences,” he said.
“It’s simple. It you don’t want to get caught, don’t commit the offence.”