Drug-driving increase
Drug-driving in Geelong has increased by 22 per cent in the 12-months to yesterday, according to Geelong Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Craig Stevens.
Senior Sergeant Stevens welcomed a new trial of on-the-spot fines for drivers testing positive to drugs, rather than after secondary tests, which could effectively get them off the roads weeks sooner.
Sentence slashed
A Geelong man jailed for his involvement in a high-speed crash in New Zealand that killed two men in 2017 has had his sentenced reduced.
Mark Hayden, 53, in May pleaded guilty to being a party to manslaughter over the alcohol-fuelled crash that killed a 72-year-old New Zealand man and his Torquay cousin Stephen Hayden, who was driving at the time.
The New Zealand Court of Appeal last Friday reduced Hayden’s sentence from 25 months to 15 months.
Fired up
The federal government will release a request for tender to Hanwha Defence Australia, to build 30 self-propelled howitzers and 15 armoured ammunition resupply vehicles in Geelong.
The government expects the multi-billion-dollar project to create 350 jobs.
