Port Campbell avoid tragedy on the Great Ocean Road after another near-miss with international driver

Port Campbell police First Constable Liam Cook said the officers were travelling west along the Great Ocean Road (GOR) when the car turned right from the Gibsons Steps car park into oncoming traffic. 

First Constable Cook said the Chinese national, aged in his 30s, failed to give way to the oncoming police car at 1.55pm. He said police were forced to brake heavily and narrowly avoided colliding with the Kia Carnival. 

It was a costly visit for the overseas tourist who was issued with three penalty notices, totalling more than $1000. 

He said a two-year-old child, in the middle row of seats was not restrained, nor was her mum who was in the rear row of seats leaning over to feed the child a bottle. 

The near-miss occurred less than three kilometres from a similar incident on Friday when a Hong Kong national tried to overtake several cars across double lines on the GOR.

The police car carrying officers and Brazillian tourists also had to brake hard, with nowhere to go due to the two oncoming vehicles and an embankment on the other side of the road.

The driver was fined $322 for overtaking on double white lines and a further $363 for having a toddler sitting on the lap of another passenger.

First Constable Cook said different officers were involved in the two incidents and it was a timely reminder to urge all drivers to be more vigilant on the roads. 

He said any driver caught with unrestrained passenger would face hefty penalties. “Ensure that you familiarise yourself with your surroundings and be aware of other drivers,” he said.  

The driver in the latest incident was issued with penalty infringement notices including failure to give way, (a fine of $322 and three demerit points) and two for carrying unrestrained passengers, including one over the age of 16 ($322 and three points) and one under the age of 16 ($363 and three points).