Action on distraction
Police bicycle unit catches dozens of drivers using mobiles
HIGHWAY patrol officers using bicycles in the city’s CBD have been shocked by the number of drivers risking their lives behind the wheel.
In just five hours, Acting Sergeant David Ramm issued tickets to a drug-affected driver, motorists using their phones behind the wheel and to passengers not wearing seatbelts.
The experienced officer is part of the newly revamped police bicycle unit.
The team has been rolled out to tackle one of the most deadly issues on our roads — driver distraction.
In just six shifts, officers have cycled along Ryrie, Malop, Gheringhap and Yarra streets as well as Geelong West’s Pakington St.
During patrols they have sprung 76 drivers on their mobile phones.
In the most shocking of cases, police caught one driver watching a video on his phone and another man who was holding an iPad while attempting to drive.
Both men were slapped with $484 fines and given four demerit points.
In five hours on Thursday police caught: FOURTEEN drivers using a mobile phone behind the wheel; FIVE people who were not wearing a seatbelt; and, ONE driver whose twomonth-old baby was incorrectly restrained in the back seat
At 9.15am a 40-year-old Geelong West man was pulled over by bike patrol officers on Ryrie St. Police said the Holden Commodore driver was unlicensed and tested positive to methylamphetamine.
His car was immediately seized, at a cost of $1305, and he will be charged on summons to face court.
At 2pm the same officers stopped a driver who was using their phone on Ryrie St.
Sgt Ramm said the driver of that Holden Commodore initially stopped before taking off and speeding through multiple red lights towards Eastern Beach.
He is expected to be charged on summons.
Sgt Ramm said the alarming behaviour showed drivers must understand that breaking the law while driving puts the lives of all road users at risk.
“When you are driving, leave your phone in your handbag, in the console,” Sgt Ramm said. “Don’t touch it while you are driving.
“People say they are using it as a map — but unless it is through your car or attached to a holder you cannot use it.”
Most recent TAC data shows a driver who is distracted for just two seconds while travelling at 100km/h would travel more than 55 metres without realising.
While further research found almost half of all Victorians under the age of 30 have used their phone when driving and half of this demographic see the habit as more socially acceptable than pushing into a queue.
“We see drivers using their phones a lot in the CBD,” Sgt Ramm said. “It’s a pedestrianheavy area and drivers still need to be alert when they are sitting at a traffic light.”
Sgt Ramm said pedestrians also needed to watch out for traffic when crossing the road.
“We see it quite a lot in Malop St — people just think it's a pedestrian area. They need to be aware that there is still traffic on the road.”
Sgt Ramm said drivers flouting the law should expect to be caught by police.
Bike patrols will continue.