Police crack down on motorists ignoring stop signs

Police have issued almost 100 fines in 36 days to motorists at an Anzac Pde intersection, after one almost killed a pedestrian.

Police pay close attention to a motorist at the intersection of Franklin St and Anzac Pde. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

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Highway patrol officers have been booking motorists who do not obey the stop signs at the Anzac Pde and Franklin St intersection, north of Matraville High School.

The problem has been ongoing for years.

However, a motorist who failed to stop and collided with a pedestrian on May 23 has put the issue back on the police agenda.

Police conducted a similar blitz in 2016. Picture: John Appleyard

The injured man suffered a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain, a lacerated spleen and a fractured pelvis.

A Hyundai i35 driver has been charged with dangerous driving causing grevious bodily harm, and negligent driving causing grevious bodily harm.

Chief Insp Paul Fownes, area supervisor of the Botany Bay highway patrol, said there was a history of crashes at the intersection.

“This near-death experience is one of many crashes that have happened there,” he said.

“The common factor is motorists disobeying the stop sign.”

Team leader Sergeant Alex Paul said many motorists were incorrectly treating the signs as give way ones.

Motorists needed to come to a complete stop, he said.

“We’ll be enforcing the law and we make no apologies,” Sgt Paul said.

“Anyone going through without stopping will be fined.”

The intersection is within a school zone, which can make the punishment more costly.

The fine for not stopping at the signs during school zone hours is $457, and the loss of four demerit points.

Motorists fined outside school zone hours must pay $344 and lose three demerit points.

Officers have issued 93 fines for failing to stop in the 36 days. They have also discovered other offences such as motorists driving unregistered vehicles.