Disaster avoided after car detected at mind-boggling speed

Melton Highway Patrol members have impounded a car in Bacchus Marsh on Friday morning.

Officers were astonished when they detected a Suzuki hatchback at an alleged speed of 171km/hr on Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road in Parwan about 12.27pm.

The vehicle was detected through an area of roadworks with a signed speed limit of 60 km/hr.

Officers initiated a pursuit before Suzuki eventually stopped on Amaroo Circuit in Bacchus Marsh approximately seven minutes later.

The driver, a 40-year-old Fawkner man, was arrested and is assisting police with their enquiries.

It is alleged illicit drugs were detected on an oral fluid test.

A search of the vehicle also allegedly located drugs of dependence.

He has been charged with several offences including dangerous driving whilst pursued by police.

It is expected that he will appear at the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Monday 27 September.

The vehicle was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1555.

This impound forms part of Operation Scoreboard, a four-day statewide operation targeting high-risk driving behaviour on Victorian roads over the AFL Grand Final long weekend.

Five lives were lost over the Grand Final long weekend last year while there were more than 120 collisions which resulted in injury.

Police will also be targeting impaired driving, with more than 110 drivers detected for alcohol and drug offences over the Grand Final weekend last year despite lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne.

Operation Scoreboard runs until 11:59pm Sunday 26 September 2021.

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