Excessive speeding fines soar in Knox, Maroondah, Yarra Ranges despite coronavirus restrictions
There are fewer cars on the road as people are told to not leave home unless necessary, but police in Melbourne’s east are alarmed to find more drivers are speeding — and many are going way faster than the limit.
Outer East
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Hoon driving has surged by 30 per cent across the outer east despite pleas from authorities to stay at home during coronavirus lockdowns.
Victoria Police data analysts found sharp increases in the number of people fined across Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges for driving 25 km/h or more above the speed limit.
Officers dished out 11 per cent more fines in February and 30 per cent more in March compared with the same time last year.
Knox highway patrol Acting Sergeant Tanya Lavin said she was shocked by the findings, particularly due to the tough social distancing restrictions enforced by the State Government due to the virus outbreak.
“There are less cars on the road, but more people excessively speeding,” Acting Sgt Lavin said.
“In these times we would be expecting people around the state to be complying with all government rules and be aware of what is going on around them.”
Acting Sgt Lavin said officers were conducting regular patrols and continuing to target those speeding despite less traffic on the roads.
“We’re still out, and still operating multiple shifts throughout this entire period and we don’t stop working,” she said.
Drivers caught speeding at least 25km/h over the speed limit can expect to lose their licence for three months and receive a $454 fine.
Meanwhile, a 26-year-old Croydon man is expected to be charged after he was caught driving erratically in Bayswater and Croydon on Saturday.
Acting Sgt Lavin said the man allegedly crashed into street signs in his Toyota Hilux on Dorset Rd around 5pm.
He continued driving and was pulled over by officers on Mt Dandenong Rd a short time later.
Acting Sgt Lavin said the man was likely to be charged on summons for driving while impaired, leaving a collision scene and other associated offences.
The analysis comes as a truck driver was charged over the death of four police officers on the Eastern Freeway in Boroondara.
Richard Pusey, who was driving a Porsche the officers pulled over, is facing a raft of charges, including speeding, destruction of evidence and three counts of committing an indictable offence while on bail.
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