By BRIDGET COOK
CASEY’s top road cop has expressed his anger at 10 cases of children being found unrestrained in cars and said it would now be focus for police with the return of school next week.
Casey Highway Patrol conducted two booze bus sites in Cranbourne this week, where police found 10 cases of children being unrestrained in cars and as many drink drivers.
Casey Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant John Felton said the results of the two breath testing sites, along both Cranbourne-Frankston Road and Berwick-Cranbourne Road, were very disappointing.
“Yes, that’s right 10 children unrestrained, all aged below eight years of age,” he said.
“That is 10 children exposed to a heightened risk of suffering road trauma by what appears to be nothing more than a lack of care.
“This is absolutely unacceptable. As we approach the start of the school year, unrestrained children will remain a focus for us.
“My educated guess is no excuse for driving with unrestrained children will be accepted by any of the members here at Casey Highway Patrol.”
Sen Sgt Felton said what was also a concern was 10 people were found to be over the legal alcohol limit, of the 845 drivers breath tested.
“The highest reading was .074 per cent,” he said.
“Our message is to plan ahead. If you intend to have a drink, have a plan to get home that doesn’t involve you driving.
“In addition to that, two vehicles were found to be in an unsatisfactory state of repair, so defective vehicle notices were issued, two drivers were found to be unlicensed and several P-plate drivers in breach of their licence conditions, such as too many peer passengers and not displaying P-plates.
“While we work tirelessly to keep our road trauma down, the results of the two booze buses in Casey this week confirm that some people just don’t get it.”
