Rogue food delivery riders targeted in CBD police crackdown
They clog up CBD footpaths, run rampant on the streets and have near-misses with pedestrians. And now, food delivery couriers are the target of a crackdown on rogue riders, with hundreds of fines issued in a matter of hours.
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A blitz on food delivery drivers running rampant on Melbourne’s streets saw couriers nabbed and others put on notice, with police warning bad behaviour won’t be tolerated.
Operation Mongoose, run by Victoria Police, saw 232 fines handed out to road users in a five-hour period on Wednesday night — with at least 25 per cent food couriers.
The crackdown primarily targeted those in breach of road laws, caught endangering pedestrians, using mobile phones and driving unlicensed, among other offences, in a bid to drive down the state’s high road toll.
The Herald Sun was given a first-hand look at the blitz, which was carried out on the streets outside popular Melbourne eateries and food hubs around the CBD.
Offences included:
• One suspended driver who will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date;
• Five cyclists failing to obey a traffic light, which incurs a fine of $413;
• Nine people using a mobile phone while driving or riding, which incurs a fine of $496;
• Twenty people riding on a footpath, which incurs a fine of $165;
• Fourteen cyclists who failed to have lights or equipment, which incurs a fine of $207;
• Seven offenders caught without an approved bicycle helmet, which incurs a fine of $207;
• Eight people riding through Bourke Street mall, which incurs a fine of $165;
• One male arrested for outstanding warrants;
• Five people disobeying traffic control signals, which incurs a fine of $413; and
• One unregistered motor vehicle, which incurs a fine of $826.
Bad-behaviour hot spots included the corners of Bourke and Swanston streets, Lonsdale and Swanston streets, and around the Chinatown precinct.
The Herald Sun witnessed a number of delivery motorbikes, courier bicycles and cars nabbed along busy Swanston St.
A number had illegally turned left from Lonsdale St, despite signs warning vehicles were not permitted.
Others drove across pedestrian crossings or pedalled through red lights.
Fast food stores were also targeted, with delivery drivers seen driving on footpath and parking outside when waiting for an order.
Inspector Troy Papworth, the local area commander for Melbourne East, said delivery drivers were often “distracted,” which could end in carnage for pedestrians and other road users.
“We’re looking at reducing road trauma amongst our vulnerable road users – so pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle users,” he said.
“They represent over two thirds of our road trauma and serious injuries in the Melbourne area.
“A great portion of them will come from those sort of delivery drivers.
“That’s a lot of people who are admitted to hospital, with injuries, that could possibly be avoided.
Insp Papworth said the operation was about keeping people safe.
“In the City of Melbourne, we get close to 900,000 people into the city every day,” Insp Papworth said.
“Those people are all out on the footpaths, crossing roads … when they start to come into contact with cyclists, motor scooters, e-bikes, things like that, the risk around those vulnerable road users starts to increase.
“[We’re] really trying to send that strong message to the public that we’re taking this issue seriously.”
NO EXCUSES FOR ‘LAZY’ DELIVERY RIDERS
As a delivery driver drifts along a busy Melbourne footpath, another stops mid-intersection, phone in hand.
Others narrowly miss pedestrians or pedal straight through red lights.
A number turn left from Lonsdale St onto Swanston, either ignoring or oblivious to the “no left turn” sign before them.
Among the hustle and bustle, Operation Mongoose is being carried out by members from Victoria Police.
The special operation is targeting food delivery drivers performing dangerous or illegal stunts in a bid to cut corners or quickly drop off an order.
The crackdown, carried out on Wednesday, cost food courier Aezeem Ali more than a night’s wage.
He was nabbed riding his pushbike, during the afternoon peak, on the footpath along Swanston St after picking up an order.
The Melbourne man said he has only been a courier for six months — and the job is his only source of income.
He said he was just being “lazy” when he was caught.
“It’s my wrong. I shouldn’t have,” Mr Ali said. “I didn’t want to push my bike.
“It cost me … he [the officer] said around $150. I probably [make] like $100 [per night].”
Others were issued with fines or warnings during the operation. Some argued their case, others made excuses.
One man was cautioned for having his helmet on backwards.
A block away, another was intercepted as he sped past a tram at a stop outside the Bourke St mall.
A few metres away, another man, a delivery driver from the UK, said he was just following the crowd when he was pinged for jaywalking, also on Bourke St.
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“I walked across the road,” he said. “I’m not from around here, I assumed that if it’s a tram [track] then it’s the same as like a normal road.
“And they [officers] were just like it’s jaywalking, it’s illegal. And I get that but they can’t stop everyone.”
”Everyone else is doing the same thing. It sucks though … they pinpointed me because I have a bike.
“An $83 fine … for walking across. We don’t have that in the UK … I was literally like well if they can do it, why can’t I do it?”
On Melbourne’s busy streets, and outside popular eateries, it’s an all-too-common scene.
As officers wove from Chinatown, past fast food stores and restaurants in between, the message from Inspector Troy Papworth was clear: “You’re putting yourself in danger, you’re putting other road users and pedestrians in danger of some fairly serious injuries.”