Brimbank Highway Patrol officers have made it clear Operation Regal is in full swing this weekend, Victoria Police say.
It is alleged a northbound sedan was spotted illegally driving in the emergency lane on the Western Ring Road yesterday evening.
As police on foot tried to stop the vehicle, it allegedly drove around a police member and back into the emergency lane at speed, exiting at Furlong Road about 5pm.
A short time later, a Highway Patrol unit activated its lights in an attempt to intercept the vehicle on Gumtree Close when the car has taken the corner towards Camara Street and crashed into a sign.
The male driver allegedly fled on foot but was sprayed with OC foam and arrested not far from the scene of the crash.
The Kew man was interviewed and charged with numerous traffic offences, as well as the following:
-Theft of motor car
-Evade Police
-Possessing a controlled weapon
-Resist arrest
The 29-year-old was remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this morning.
This man wasn’t the only one allegedly spotted infringing in an emergency lane that day.
Highway Patrol members, along with Keilor Downs police, conducted a traffic operation on the Western Ring Road in Sunshine West between 3pm and 6pm yesterday focusing on drivers illegally using the emergency lane.
More than 150 infringement noties were issued to drivers illegally using the emergency lane, including a number of motorists who were talking or texting on their mobile phones at the same time.
All drivers were issued a $311 fine for failing to obey an emergency stopping lane only sign.
This should come as welcome news to those who patiently deal with congestion and don’t resort to speeding down the emergency lane to try and beat traffic.
Good things come to those who wait.
However, as recent as this morning, the Brimbank Highway Patrol officers intercepted another driver in a hurry, travelling eastbound at 167km/h on the Calder Freeway between Calder Park Drive and Green Gully Road – an 80km zone.
The driver, a 35-year-old man who was in a rush to get home because he had "just finished a 15 hour shift", will now have his vehicle impounded for 48 times that long – 30 days at a cost of $950.
The intercepts form part of Operation Regal, a statewide focus on road user behaviour and awareness around the importance of taking responsibility for your own actions on the road.
The operation which started on Friday at 12.01am will finish on Monday 12 June at 11.59pm.
Police will target the main causes of fatalities and serious injuries which include; speed, driver distraction, drivers not wearing their seatbelts, fatigue and drink and drug drivers.
