A young man is out of pocket by almost $1,000 after being caught performing a burnout at a known “hoon hot spot” in Lake Macquarie.
Following a plea from Swansea MP Yasmin Catley, police were patrolling the roadways around the Murrays Beach area about 1.35pm on Thursday 26 March, when they saw a utility being driven recklessly.
Officers attached to Newcastle Hunter Highway Patrol stopped the car and spoke to the P2 driver – a 21-year-old – at the scene.
The Catherine Hill Bay local was issued with an infringement notice for operate vehicle to cause driving wheels to undergo sustained loss of traction and use light vehicle not comply with tyres standard.
The combined penalty for both offences amounted to $971 in fines, as well as the loss of three demerit points.
Manager of the Traffic North Newcastle Hunter Sector Chief Inspector Thomas Barnes said officers would continue to patrol Murrays Beach and other nearby suburbs to target any type of hoon activity, which places members of the community at risk or causes them to feel unsafe.
“This will occur at various times of both the day and night, as this young person found out,” he explained.
“Motorists, particularly those with provisional licences, should be aware that officers will show zero tolerance to any person engaging in dangerous behaviour on our roads.
“Local highway patrol police are well-aware of where these hoons gather, the vehicles they drive and, in many cases, where they study, work or reside.
“Just because they don’t see blue and red lights behind them, doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t wake up to a knock at the door or find their vehicle being taken away on the back of a tow truck.”
Chief Inspector Barnes thanked the many members of the community who continued to assist police.
“I encourage anyone else with information about dangerous driving behaviour, including the persons responsible, to provide it to their local police station or Crime Stoppers,” he said.
“Together, we have the best chance of keeping everyone safe.”
Anyone with information about dangerous or negligent driving is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
For more news stories:
- Hunter farmers warn fuel crisis will flow through to everyday life
- Hazardous surf expected to impact Hunter coastline
- Mangoola workers to vote on controversial enterprise agreement
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
