Lake Illawarra Commander Acting Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis was having a meal with his family at an area hotel at the weekend when an out-of-control driver stopped him in his tracks.
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In the moments before the car came safely to rest, it careered towards the crowded dining area, seemingly on a collision course.
“A lunatic driver had decided to do a massive burnout on the road in front, losing control of his vehicle and going over a median strip,” Supt Koutsoufis said.
“I was getting ready to take my family and dive for cover.
“He could have easily lost control and ploughed into people having their dinner.
“We’re investigating that matter as we speak.”
With the state’s year-to-date road toll climbing well past its 2017 equivalent, the close call comes as Supt Koutsoukis pledges a renewed focus on reckless driving in the region.
All the Illawarra’s police cars – including unmarked cars and those carrying officers on unrelated duties – have been tasked with pulling up unsafe drivers as part of the state-wide Operation Merret, which continues until mid-May.
“It’s a refocus,” Supt Koutsoufis said. “Police who may be tied up with other duties are also keeping an eye out for traffic matters. We’ll also have extra police tasked to focus on traffic matters and high-visibility policing.
“We’re doing all we can to reduce deaths and serious injury on our roads.”
There have been 90 deaths on state roads this year – 23 more than the same period last year.
Last week a crash on Lake Entrance Road at Warilla claimed the life of 19-year-old motorcyclist Porter Coady.
Supt Koutsoufis said the tragedy served as a reminder for motorists to “take some responsibility for their driving behaviour”. “We’re coming up to Easter, which is one of the deadliest periods on our roads, so I’m going to make sure each police officer that is on, is on the lookout for poor driving behaviour. But at the end of the day we can’t be everywhere, so I’m pleading with road users to comply with the road rules, take it easy, slow down, have a rest and make appropriate choices.”
Angela Thompson
Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2008; these days covering crime and justice issues. UOW alum. Thrilled by the chase and sobered by some of the things I see and hear when I stand still - sometimes in the same day. ang.thompson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2008; these days covering crime and justice issues. UOW alum. Thrilled by the chase and sobered by some of the things I see and hear when I stand still - sometimes in the same day. ang.thompson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
