Drink driving, speeding and modified cars in western suburbs over weekend

Police have caught five dangerous drivers and impounded four vehicles in the western suburbs since Friday, as police keep the clamps on high risk and hoon drivers.

Footscray police intercepted a Toyota Hilux in Braybrook yesterday at about 9.30am, after observing the vehicle allegedly being driven erratically.

A preliminary breath test was conducted and the driver, a 48-year-old West Footscray man, recorded an alleged blood alcohol reading of 0.276.

The vehicle was immediately impounded and his licence was automatically suspended. The West Footscray man is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving and other traffic related offences.

The intercept by Footscray police follows a string of offences detected by officers working as part of the North West Metro Region Operation Achilles over the weekend.

It begun on Friday evening at about 11pm, when Operation Achilles officers observed a blue Subaru failing to obey a red traffic light in Airport West. Officers intercepted the vehicle on Citylink and found the driver to be an unaccompanied learner. The vehicle was immediately impounded for 30 days.

The 21-year-old male driver is expected to be charged via summons for traffic related offences.

On the following night (Saturday 9 July), officers intercepted a blue Volkswagen Golf after observing it allegedly speeding through road works and a residential area in Caroline Springs at about 9.50pm. The 20-year-old male driver was issued with two driving infringements after police allege the vehicle was modified to increase performance.

About an hour later in Melton, police intercepted a silver Commodore. It’s alleged the driver, an 18-year-old female from Bonnie Brook, was an unaccompanied learner who only received her vehicle back from the impound yard in the last few months.

The vehicle was immediately impounded again, and the female is expected to be charged on summons with driving offences.

At about 1.15am the next morning (Sunday 10 July), police observed a blue Mazda with five occupants allegedly racing a white sedan on Citylink at speeds in excess of 140km p/h.

Operation Achilles officers intercepted the Mazda on the Ring Road in Thomastown and arrested the driver, a 19-year-old female from Wollert.

The probationary driver was subsequently charged with reckless conduct endangering life.

Police seized the vehicle and an application for forfeiture will be made at court.

The female was bailed to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on 13 December.

Operation Achilles has been responsible for charging more than 240 of Melbourne’s worst hoon drivers and impounding over 150 hoon vehicles since July last year.

Operation Achilles remains ongoing and anyone with information about illegal hoon activity is urged to report this to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link

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