Hobart’s northern suburbs targeted by new anti-skid roads, supported by police, council
Hoons beware! A new road technology is putting a stop to reckless drivers and is coming to southern Tasmanian roads near you. How it works.
Tasmania
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Hoons beware! A new anti-skid road surface is being trialled in southern Tasmania that is proven to reduce hooning.
Under the federal government’s Black Spot Program $185,000 has been allocated to improve known crash sites at Derwent Park, Moonah and Glenorchy.
Police and Glenorchy mayor Sue Hickey have hailed the program for funding anti-skid surfacing at Sunmont St, Derwent Park to reduce incidents of hooning.
Labor Senator Carol Brown said the $50,000 Sunmont Street upgrade was “significant” because the new surface technology had proved successful in reducing hooning.
She said previous efforts including CCTV and tactile treatments were not effective, but the new approach, using calcite bauxite strips, had already shown strong results in other industrial areas.
“This new surface treatment on Sunmont Street is about putting a stop to that reckless behaviour and making the area safer for everyone who works and travels there,” Senator Brown said.
“This funding will make a real difference for people in Glenorchy. It will help prevent serous accidents and save lives.
“These upgrades will be better for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians and ensure that everyone can get home safely.
“These projects have been selected from nominations from those who know our local roads best – members of the public, local councils and road user groups.”
Ms Hickey said the council was committed to prioritising road safety and reducing accidents and injuries.
“Road safety impacts us all, and Council is very pleased to receive Black Spot funding to address local road safety issues,” she said.
“Council is investing $14.7m this financial year on our roads and footpaths, and the Black Spot funding allows us to undertake additional projects.
“We are particularly excited to trial the innovative anti-hooning treatment in Sunmont Street after many years of working alongside Tasmania Police to address road safety issues in this location.”
Glenorchy uniform Acting Inspector John Rafferty said dangerous driving behaviour, including hooning, was concerning.
“Police will not tolerate this kind of behaviour, and support a variety of strategies that deter dangerous driving,” he said.
“Police have previously attended Sunmont Street in Derwent Park due to hooning complaints and our officers have been successful in apprehending drivers and have seized vehicles as a result.
“Importantly, timely and accurate information from the public can assist police in removing unsafe drivers from our roads.”
Acting Inspector Rafferty urged people to call police on 131 444 if people were committing offences or to contact Crime Stoppers, anonymously, on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestopperstas.com.au
He said providing information such as the location, registration number, and vehicle description “gives police the best chance at being able to stop hooning quickly and effectively”.
Footage of dangerous driving can be uploaded via the evidence portal on the Tasmania Police website police.tas.gov.au/report.
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