A WARRNAMBOOL magistrate has highlighted the dangers of the Great Ocean Road region while fining a tourist mini-bus operator for erratic driving.
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Magistrate Cynthia Toose said the Great Ocean Road could be “quite chaotic” in terms of traffic management and safety.
Mini-bus driver Pengxiao Li, 29, of Nickson Street, Bundoora, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court to erratic driving after deciding to appeal against a $317 fine.
He was not convicted and fined $350.
Ms Toose said Li was a tourist company driver and it was fortunate he had not caused a collision.
“I’m very concerned about congestion in that area. Everyone has to observe the road rules prudently,” she said, urging Li to reacquaint himself with the laws governing driving.
“The message has to be sent to all road users about how they conduct themselves,” she said.
Police officers were following Li about 1pm on November 1 last year while he was driving a white Hilux mini-bus heading south on the Princeton Road.
He was following a yellow mini-bus and twice crossed double white lines.
When the yellow mini-bus stopped at the intersection with the Great Ocean Road to turn right, Li pulled up a on the left-hand side of that vehicle.
He then headed along the Great Ocean Road towards Princeton and the Twelve Apostles.
Li crossed single or double white lines at least four times and drove over for painted traffic island for 90 metres.
Defence counsel Belinda Northey said Li had a Victorian driver’s licence and decided to drive nearer the middle of the road to avoid potholes and bumps in the road which had made his passengers uncomfortable.
He instructed Ms Northey that he needed to drive at 90km/h to be safe.
The magistrate said the best solutions for drivers in such situations was to slow down to a safe speed.
She said the photo of Li about to turn right showed completely unsatisfactory diving.