Dodgy Dandy

By Lia Bichel
POLICE are disappointed with distracted and speeding drivers in the City of Greater Dandenong, after completing Operation Ardent this weekend.
The State Highway Patrol breath-tested more than 2400 drivers from 18 to 22 March in Dandenong as part of the blitz on Melbourne suburbs.
They also walked and drove through Dandenong for the five days, and focussed heavily on drivers talking on their phones.
The State Highway Patrol’s Senior Sergeant Anthony Hill said he was saddened and disappointed by the results.
“We targeted the shopping strips of Dandenong and Springvale and all too often we saw drivers doing the wrong thing and just not paying attention,” Sen Sgt Hill said.
“Distracted drivers proved the biggest concern for police, with 169 motorists caught talking on their mobile phones.
“The community needs to understand that even if you are driving near your local shopping strip, in your own suburb, mobile phones are a distraction and to ensure maximum safety for you and other road users, it’s best not to use them while driving.”
Drivers on their phones will continue to face penalties, Greater Dandenong Traffic Management Unit Acting Senior Sergeant Pat McGavigan said.
“Mobile phones are a big distraction and people ignoring the laws will have to accept the consequences,” he said.
“Phones, speeding, not wearing seatbelts … these are all things contributing to unsafe driving.”
Of the 2417 drivers breath-tested, 19 exceeded the legal limit, with one Dandenong man recording a blood alcohol reading of .092.
Sen Sgt Hill said his team was pleased with the low number of drink drivers, but concerned with the number of speeding drivers.
More than 180 motorists were caught speeding more than 10km/h over the limit.
“The majority of roads we patrolled had speed limits of just 60 or 70, and to see motorists ignoring the limits and driving just way too fast is really disappointing,” Sen Sgt Hill said.
Act Sen Sgt McGavigan said he fully supported Operation Ardent and said police would continue to target unsafe drivers in Greater Dandenong.