Police launch six-day blitz to reduce road trauma

Police data shows speeding has been a factor in nearly one in three of this year’s road fatalities (29 per cent).

During the same period last year, almost 3000 motorists were stopped due to speed, with 79 per cent of them caught travelling between 10km/h and 25/h over the speed limit.

Last month, police detected more than 6500 traffic offences during their four-day Operation Scoreboard around the AFL Grand Final long weekend, including 2918 speeding offences, 246 drink driving offences, 248 mobile phone offences and 127 drug driving offences.

“We’ll be on the lookout for those who choose to speed, or drive distracted and we’ll also be conducting widespread drug and alcohol testing,” Acting Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Peta Barrett said.

“Our message to motorists this weekend is simple; kill your speed before you kill someone. Stay alive on our roads.”

Police will this weekend target a range of offences including impaired driving, fatigue, failure to wear seatbelts and illegal mobile phone use, while also reinforcing positive driving behaviours.

There will be a concentrated focus on major rural roads heading to areas in regional Victoria, with drivers advised not to overtake or travel next to turning trucks or tractors as the harvest season continues.

Police urge those heading to events this weekend to plan ahead and use public transport or rideshare services.

Victorians travelling to regional areas should allow plenty of extra travel time, stick to the speed limit, avoid distractions behind the wheel and take plenty of breaks to prevent fatigue.

“Every life lost on the roads is preventable and we are doing all we can to reduce road trauma, which is why we have statewide operations such as ‘Furlong’,” Asst Commissioner Barrett said.

“This is a targeted operation during a high-risk period and at a high-risk time.”

For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.