Police threaten to end drivers’ fun

By Jade Lawton
PAKENHAM motorists are treating Cardinia Shire roads like a ‘fun park,’ with many boozing and speeding their way to fines and licence suspensions last week.
Sergeant Nigel Atkins, of Cardinia’s Traffic Management Unit, said he was appalled that five of the six drink-drivers caught on the Princes Highway on Saturday night were Pakenham residents.
The comments come as police announce a Queen’s Birthday long weekend clampdown called Operation Aegis which will throw all available resources at law breaking drivers.
The operation will run from the morning of Friday 5 June to midnight 8 June.
Police plan to saturate main roads and backroads.
The Saturday booze bus was set up on the corner of Racecourse Road from 7pm to midnight. A total of 451 drivers were tested, with one in 75 over the legal limit.
“All these people must be ashamed of themselves for their irresponsible actions,” Sgt Atkins said.
“The recent outcome is atrocious to say the very least and only confirms to me the absolute, blatant ignorance and non prudent behaviours by some in our community, of our road rules, which we must all abide by to keep our roads safe.”
Other locals caught by the TMU include a 51-year-old Pakenham man detected travelling at 80 km/h in a 50 km/h zone in Ahern Road on Thursday 21 May.
The man has had his licence suspended for one month, has lost four demerit points and faces a $301 fine.
A 41-year-old Pakenham man also had his licence suspended for one month after he was caught travelling at 129 km/h on Kooweerup road, Kooweerup, on Saturday.
An 18-year-old Pakenham man, a P-plater, has also lost his licence after he was caught travelling on the Princes Highway, Officer, at 109 km/h in an 80km/h zone, also on Saturday.
“It is not a fun park and it’s not a joke out there – it is serious business when you are in charge of a motor vehicle,” Sgt Atkins said.
“We are all responsible for our actions and for the consequences of our actions.
“If you think you can drink and drive, speed or commit anti-social road behaviours, you will inevitably be caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”