Melbourne’s worst driving offence suburbs revealed
Melbourne’s worst driving offenders live in a troublesome group of suburbs that show signs of ‘attitudinal issues’, according to the Victoria’s top traffic cop.
A News Limited report reveals that 11 areas rank inside the top 20 for speeding, drink driving and using a mobile phone while driving.
As a result, Victoria Police is planning a series of blitzes, with a particular focus on some of the worst problem zones.
Cranbourne was the worst suburb, with the highest number of speeding offences and a top-four ranking for drink driving and mobile phone offences. A total of 2030 fines were issued in Cranbourne between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.
Narre Warren ranked second for speeding, sixth for mobile phone use and seventh for drink driving.
Werribee was the worst offender for illegal mobile phone use (765 fines) while Frankston was the top drink-driving suburb (142 fines).
Berwick, Craigieburn, Hoppers Crossing, Glen Waverley, Dandenong, Deer Park and St Albans were other areas all ranking in the top 20 for the three crimes.
Victoria Police deputy commissioner, Kieren Walshe, said it was not surprising the same suburbs appeared in the statistics again and again.
“There is an attitudinal issue with residents in these postcodes,” Mr Walshe said.
He said drivers should expect a stronger police presence in a number of these suburbs throughout the second half of this year.
“You’re on notice,” Mr Walshe said.
Do you think more police on the streets of problem areas is the best approach, or should the effort be placed elsewhere? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Speeding in Victoria:
| Suburbs | Number of speeding offences |
| Cranbourne | 2030 |
| Narre Warren | 1846 |
| Werribee | 1686 |
| Berwick | 1614 |
| Pakenham | 1583 |
| Craigieburn | 1470 |
| Ballarat | 1451 |
| Hoppers Crossing | 1392 |
| Frankston | 1317 |
| Bendigo | 1309 |
| Belmont/Highton | 1263 |
| Glen Waverley/Wheelers Hill | 1244 |
| Dandenong | 1230 |
| Melton | 1195 |
| Sydenham | 1117 |
| Deer Park/Cairnlea/Caroline Springs | 1092 |
| Warrnambool | 1085 |
| St Albans | 1074 |
| Sunbury | 1018 |
| Shepparton | 915 |
Drink driving in Victoria:
| Suburbs | Number of drink driving offences |
| Frankston | 142 |
| Cranbourne | 132 |
| Hoppers Crossing | 122 |
| St Albans | 119 |
| Werribee | 119 |
| Ballarat | 118 |
| Narre Warren | 113 |
| Dandenong | 103 |
| Craigieburn | 98 |
| Sunshine | 92 |
| Reservoir | 90 |
| Noble Park | 86 |
| Glen Waverley/Wheelers Hill | 82 |
| Melton | 81 |
| Sunbury | 81 |
| Bendigo | 80 |
| Deer Park/Cairnlea/Caroline Springs | 79 |
| St Kilda | 79 |
| Sydenham | 76 |
| Berwick | 76 |
Illegal mobile phone use in Victoria:
| Suburbs | Number of mobile phone while driving offences |
| Werribee | 765 |
| Deer Park/Cairnlea/Caroline Springs | 631 |
| Craigieburn | 631 |
| Cranbourne | 607 |
| Hoppers Crossing | 597 |
| Narre Warren | 594 |
| St Albans | 591 |
| Reservoir | 591 |
| Sydenham | 582 |
| Frankston | 548 |
| Dandenong | 526 |
| Glen Waverley/Wheelers Hill | 503 |
| Coburg | 491 |
| Berwick | 490 |
| St Kilda | 467 |
| Sunshine | 432 |
| Preston | 414 |
| Mordialloc | 405 |
| Keilor Downs | 398 |
| Richmond | 398 |
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