Park hoons caught on camera

FROM burnouts to passengers riding cars while lying on the roof, dozens of vehicle owners who allegedly illegally entered a Far North national park have been caught and fined.

Dozens of vehicle owners who illegally entered Danbulla State Forest and allegedly caused damage recently can expect to receive fines following a safety blitz by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

Ranger Roger James said cameras installed at seven locations late last year had captured drivers illegally accessing the state forest and conducting a lot of poor and dangerous behaviour.

“The registered owner of every vehicle captured by our cameras is going to receive a $275 fine in the mail,” Mr James said.

“It is illegal to access some areas of the state forest, for safety reasons, and we want people to read the signs and avoid the fines.

“We’ve taken photos of drivers who ignored our signage and cut locks on gates or created new dirt trails into the state forest by chopping down trees.

“Some have been using the state forest tracks as their personal racetracks and often drive recklessly and cause damage by doing doughnuts or digging mud holes when they get bogged.

“What is clear, is that all the drivers have ignored locked gates, vehicle bollards and signage advising them not to enter.”

Mr James said the hidden cameras not only took photos of vehicle number plates, they also captured illegal driving behaviour.