Police set to concentrate on Casey’s ‘deadly’ suburb

By Sarah Schwager
CRANBOURNE is Casey’s deadliest suburb when it comes to roads.
Nine people have died on Casey roads this year, seven of those in Cranbourne.
Two people died in Doveton.
While the Casey-wide figure is considerably less than last year’s, police are focusing on Cranbourne this Christmas to help curb the number of deadly collisions on local roads.
Casey Traffic Management Unit (TMU) Sergeant Pat McGavigan said police would be out in force this festive season, focusing on road safety and poor driver behaviour.
“Police will have a strong visible presence on Casey’s roads over the Christmas period,” he said.
“However, we still need to work in partnership with the public to keep our roads safe.
“We ask drivers to accept responsibility for their actions and to think before getting behind the wheel.
“Keep an eye on your speed, don’t drink and drive, drive to the conditions and always remember to wear a seat belt.”
For the past two years the City of Casey has recorded the worst road toll in the state compared to other municipalities, with 17 deaths in 2005 and 13 in 2004.
Sgt McGavigan said while this year’s road figures were significantly lower, nine deaths were still nine too many.
Cranbourne’s most recent fatality occurred on 2 December when a Cranbourne man died after three cars collided at the intersection of South Gippsland Highway and Lesdon Avenue, Cranbourne, shortly after 1pm.
The 56-year-old died at the scene.
On 22 November, a 20-year-old Cranbourne man was killed after a car in which he was a passenger left the road on the South Gippsland Highway in Cranbourne North and rolled about 11pm.
Sgt McGavigan said failing to obey a red light, driver error, speed and failing to use headlights had contributed to some of this year’s deadly collisions, and motorists needed to evaluate all aspects of their driving behaviour.
“Unsafe driving practices will not go unnoticed this Christmas as there will be a significant police presence focusing on those who decide to ignore the law and make our roads unsafe,” he said.
“While police will be targeting the entire municipality, particular attention will be paid to the Cranbourne response zone.”
Sgt McGavigan also warned that police would be using the new anti-hoon legislation to their full advantage and would not hesitate to seize vehicles if they detected any unruly driving behaviour.
“We will be using every tool we have to target unsafe driver behaviour this Christmas.”