Craigieburn neighbours call for speed bumps to deter hoons

They live in the state’s hoon capital — and neighbours in a Craigieburn street, fed up with near-wipeouts and burnouts in their street at night, are appealing for action.

Residents Chris Deutscher, Gagandeep Chumber and Jyoti Ranan are sick of hoons tearing up their street. Picture: George Salpigtidis

A group of Craigieburn neighbours fed up with noisy hoon drivers is begging Hume Council to install speed bumps in their residential street.

Rosewood Place resident Chris Deutscher said hoon drivers had been terrorising the neighbourhood for the past six months.

“They wake us up at night by doing 360s and burnouts at three o’clock in the morning,” he said.

“I chased some motorbikes down the street the other day — that’s how rowdy it is.”

CRAIGIEBURN’S NARROW STREETS FEARED DANGEROUS IN EMERGENCIES

TULLAMARINE SURF PARK: FIRST WAVES EXPECTED IN APRIL

CRAIGIEBURN HERO FIREFIGHTER SAVES CYCLIST WITH BROKEN NECK

Hume is considered the hoon capital of Victoria, with more cars impounded in the municipality than anywhere else.

Mr Deutscher said he had appealed to the council to install speed bumps in nearby Woodlea Cres to slow down hoon drivers and “give residents a bit of security”.

But council sustainable and infrastructure services director Peter Waite said Woodlea Cres did not meet its guidelines for “traffic calming devices”, such as speed humps.

CRAIGIEBURN BOY HIT BY BUS WARNS CHILDREN TO BE CAREFUL ON ROADS

HUME COUNCILLOR DREW JESSOP RECEIVES AUSTRALIA DAY HONOUR

However Mr Deutscher said it was just a matter of time before a serious accident happened.

“I’ve nearly been wiped out three times in my own street,” he said.

“Everyone in this street fears one of the hoons will come flying through their house.”

Fawkner Highway Patrol’s Sergeant Michael Free said while most hoon driving offences in Hume were in industrial areas, such as Campbellfield and Somerton, it was a problem in residential areas.

“We’re always doing enforcement on that sort of activity,” Sgt Free said.

“The main issue is what happens if something goes wrong, if a car goes into a house or a person.”

Victoria Police can immediately impound a person’s vehicle for 30 days if they suspect a hoon driving offence, which includes deliberately skidding, driving recklessly or driving at 45km/h over the speed limit.

Under new anti-hoon rules that came into effect in November last year, police can also impound the cars of drivers who are unlicensed, disqualified or suspended on a first offence, or who breach alcohol interlock restrictions or endanger emergency workers.

Anyone who witnesses hoon driving is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

MORE NEWS

BROADMEADOWS TOWN HALL NAME CHANGE SLAMMED

CRAIGIEBURN ROAD DUPLICATION DESIGN UPSETS MOTORISTS

[e-mail]

@samanthadick00