POLICE conducting a school-zone speeding blitz in Altona North say they were “shocked” at the number of motorists snared exceeding the 40km/h limit.
In one hour, 10 people were caught driving more than 20km/h over the limit through school zones.
Hobsons Bay highway patrol’s Acting Sergeant Graeme Crouch said the speeding motorists were given hefty fines. Three had their licences suspended for a month following the crackdown on August 5.
Among them was a 39-year-old Werribee woman who was detected driving at 68km/h through the school zone. She was fined $469.
A 44-year-old St Albans woman was caught at 68km/h and a 36-year-old Wyndham Vale woman was travelling at 70km/h. They were fined $397 each.
All three women incurred four demerit points.
Acting Sergeant Crouch said police were shocked and disappointed at the number of drivers flouting speed restrictions in the area. ‘‘The 40km/h school zones exist for the protection of children,” he said.
“Anyone caught travelling at excessive speeds or endangering other road users will be spared no leniency.”
School speed zones were introduced around all of Victoria’s 2500-plus schools as part of a $23 million state government initiative that began a decade ago.
The change was introduced to help reduce the hundreds of crashes leading to injury which occurred outside schools each year.
Acting Sergeant Crouch said Hobsons Bay police planned further crackdowns on motorists speeding through school zones in the municipality.
“Over the coming three months, to address school-time safety, I have ordered a targeted operation to take place.”
