FIVE-FOLD SURGE IN DANGEROUS DRIVERS:
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MORE than five times as many dangerous drivers were charged across the Geelong region last year, data has revealed.
Incidents of dangerous driving, which leave people with serious or fatal injuries, jumped from 12 charges in 2016 to 61 in 2017, according to Crime Statistic Agency data.
Geelong Highway Patrol Sergeant Peter Radford said strengthened police powers meant investigators were increasingly able to force blood tests from drivers involved in serious collisions to test for traces of illicit drugs.
“We’re able to hold these people more accountable than ever before,” Sgt Radford said.
“We also have a wider scope to test for more illicit drugs, like heroin.
“Currently, we’re also investigating two dangerous driving cases at Mt Moriac and South Geelong.”
Greater Geelong’s worst suburbs for dangerous drivers are Corio, Norlane, Geelong, Newtown and Belmont, with a combined 24 charges laid in those areas last year alone.
Sgt Radford said the data showed Greater Geelong had a problem with drivers willing to flout the law and risk the lives of other road users.
In December, Major Colli-
“We’re able to hold these people more accountable than ever before.” SGT PETER RADFORD
sions Investigation Unit officers charged a 68-year-old Leopold truck driver with culpable driving causing death, negligently cause serious injury and drive in a manner dangerous. Lara man Jackson Eales, 27, and his girlfriend Melissa Goldsmith were on Heales Rd when their ute collided with a petrol tanker on Broderick Rd, about 4.40pm on Boxing Day 2016. Mr Eales died while Ms Goldsmith was flown to The Alfred hospital.
A Chinese national was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury after a car crash left one man dead at Birregurra on Boxing Day.
And in October, Winchelsea man Billy-Jay Glynn, 21, was charged with dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop after a collision and failing to render assistance after a crash on Atkins Rd at Buckley.
It is alleged Mr Glynn was the driver of a 4WD that hit and killed 18-year-old Tyler Dean, also of Winchelsea.