Drink drive outrage

By Kath Gannaway
POLICE say they are outraged at the disregard a section of the Healesville community has shown for drink driving laws.
Over the weekend Healesville Police caught seven drivers who read over the limit, with one drunk driver reaching speeds of around 180 kilometres before crashing on Badger Creek Road.
Sergeant Tony Van Gorp said police had an additional TAC funded unit operating in the town as part of Operation Apollo.
The crack-down started on Friday night when a 22-year-old Healesville man, unlicensed and in an unregistered car blew .115, and a 52-year-old Healesville man blew .097 earning him a fine of $340 and six months’ licence cancellation.
At 9.50pm police observed two cars travelling at around 180 kilometres an hour, on Don Road.
A short pursuit ended in Badger Creek Road when one of the vehicles spun out of control at high speed, stopping a metre short of a bus shelter.
Sgt Van Gorp said a 24-year-old Healesville man had his vehicle impounded and faces a number of serious driving offences, including drink driving.
On Saturday police caught a 52-year-old Yarra Glen man whose reading of .07 earned him a six months cancellation of licence and a fine of $340.
A 44-year-old Healesville man with a reading of .124 who was nabbed at 9pm had his licence cancelled for 12 months and was fined $476 and a 22-year-old Woori Yallock man involved in a two car crash on the Warburton Highway will be charged after recording a reading of .144.
Sgt Van Gorp said the man was unlicensed and driving an unregistered car.
The crack-down continued into Sunday morning when police caught a 37-year-old Healesville man at 1.20am who recorded .113.
Sgt Van Gorp said the results were a total disgrace.
“Police are outraged at the sheer stupidity of drivers who think they won’t get caught,” he said.
“It is interesting to note the ages of these people, apart from the two in their twenties,” he said.
“It is fairly evident that drivers have the unfortunate belief that being in an area such as Healesville, they won’t get caught.
He added … “We will be using every available police vehicle, marked and unmarked, to continue targeting these bloody idiots.”