Traffic cops spending half their shifts on mountain roads in hoon crackdown

Traffic cops are spending half their shifts on a popular tourist drive in a bid to crack down on hooning which residents say can go on all night.

Police say they are devoting significant resources to cracking down on hoons that have been turning roads, such as Mt Nebo Rd, near Jolly's Lookout, into all-night racetracks. Photo: Google Maps

POLICE say they are devoting significant resources to cracking down on hooning on a popular tourist route despite some residents saying the problem has been getting worse since COVID-19 travel restrictions were eased.

Inspector Peter Flanders from the Road Policing Command defended the police response to complaints that Mt Nebo and Mt Glorious roads had become racetracks, especially at night, since COVID travel restrictions were eased on May 2.

One resident said the problem had become worse through the month, being “noisy and busy night and day”.

Some residents had reportedly been so desperate to put an end to the noise and dangerous driving they had talked about setting up their own road blocks.

Insp Flanders said 50 per cent of the Indooroopilly road policing unit officers’ shifts had to be spent there, and 50 per cent of shifts of an unmarked motorbike officer also has to be there.

“That includes night shifts as well,” he said.

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Also, the unit’s head Senior Sergeant Mick Stevens, had been doing “a hell of a lot up there over time”.

Sen Sgt Stevens had set up an email address for residents to contact him directly and would hold a community meeting once COVID-related policing eased and resources were freed.

Insp Flanders said the meeting would allow residents to give input as what more police could do and what residents might be able to do to help.

“I am aware the community is willing to help us as much as they can,” he said.

“If they see someone doing a burn out … and if by chance they see that vehicle pulled up at a cafe and they see a driver get out, well there’s identification of driver and vehicle.

“And then (we can) launch an investigation into it. We are certainly prepared to do that sort of stuff.”

Video can be used, but the person taking must be prepared to testify in court.

Police also have the capacity to put their own cameras there to monitor behaviour.

“We’re certainly committed to helping the residents up there within the limitations of what we’ve got,” Insp Flanders said.