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(By Laura Bingham – Bond University Journalism Student)
Police officers continue to crack down on Hoon Driving in Varsity and surrounding suburbs following recent complaints from members of the community.
Senior Constable Mark Keogh of the Gold Coast District Traffic Branch said many complaints were received from Varsity and Robina residents about hoon driving.
“We receive the largest amount of complaints for noise caused by hoon drivers and lots of complaints of burnouts and speeding,” he said.
“Speed cameras and traffic officers are often placed in Varsity on Cottesloe Drive as it is the main thoroughfare from the shops to the Coast causing it to have a high crash rate.
“In the space of four hours during the last major operation on Cottesloe Drive there were a total of 114 traffic offences, 29 which were classified as life endangering and 4 arrests.”
Varsity Lakes resident Michael Penklis said hoon driving was a major concern within the area.
“Varsity is very community focussed with pre-schools, schools and universities and therefore the presence of hoon and irresponsible drivers is very worrying,” he said.
“Irresponsible drivers not only jeopardise their own lives but the lives of everyone around them including pedestrians, cyclists, passengers and others on the road.”
Senior Constable Keogh said the Robina division –which opened in November of last year – many cars had been seized as a result of hoon driving.
"In total 1066 cars have been impounded since the Queensland hoon legislation was implemented on November 4, 2002," he said.
"Most hoons are young and predominately male ... other main offences within the Varsity area include the use of mobile phones while driving, no seatbelts and exceeding the speed limit."
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