Frustrated highway police launch new operation to catch speeding drivers
Frustrated highway patrol police have cracked down on careless motorists “whizzing past” emergency vehicles with flashing lights on the Mornington Peninsula in the wake of the recent deaths of four officers on the Eastern Freeway.
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Police have sprung drivers failing to slow down as they passed the red and blue flashing lights on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway.
It comes in the wake of the Eastern Freeway tragedy in which four police officers were killed when a semi-trailer ploughed into them as they dealt with the driver of an alleged speeding Porsche.
Officers from Somerville highway patrol said they were “fed up with motorists whizzing past them” as they stood on the side of the road.
Operation Safe-Mate was launched by the highway patrol unit and works with one police unit dealing with an offending motorist while a second police car further along the road checks the speed of vehicles passing the officers on the roadside.
Police said discretion was used when issuing 13 fines, with anyone travelling faster than 80km/h past the flashing emergency lights given a $289 fine.
During the patrol officers also issued fines and notices for three unregistered vehicles, two suspended drivers and five speeding drivers, including a P2 driver detected at 146km/h.
The operation will continue throughout Frankston and Mornington Peninsula.
Meanwhile, Operation Wakesetterthroughout April and Maytargeted theft on Frank St in Frankston, with 11 people arrested and charged. They were all also slapped with COVID — 19 distancing infringement notices.
“Good results like this come about through police and the public working together,” Senior Constable Travis Woolnough said.
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Detectives raided a house on Fairway St in Frankston as part of Operation Holdings– an investigation into drug trafficking.
A 37 year old Frankston man was arrested and charged with possessing a hand gun, prohibited weapon, handling stolen goods, theft and other charges. He has been remanded in custody.
Police allege 39 power tools worth about $35,000 were identified as stolen and were returned to the owner, along with the trailer.
Senior Constable Chris Fidler said it was “very fulfilling to get a firearm and drugs off the streets and the tools back to the owner so they can get back to work during this tough time“.