Crackdown on dangerous driving to reduce road trauma

POLICE will be targeting reckless drivers during the high-risk Christmas period as Operation Roadwise commences.

The statewide road policing operation, which kicked off on Friday, comes as the number of lives lost in Victoria reaches 236, already surpassing last year’s total of 234 and sitting well above the five-year average of 221.

“People are distracted at this time of year,” Bass Coast Highway Patrol, Acting Sergeant Goff said.

“The last fortnight we have noticed an increase in the number of speeders.

“We have multiple units out every day with zero tolerance for low and high speeding offences, with drug and alcohol testing also ramped up across Bass Coast and South Gippsland.”

The operation will see police provide highly visible enforcement on Victoria’s major arterial roads and highways in an effort to reduce road trauma and detect dangerous drivers before someone is hurt.

Police intelligence shows there is an increased risk of impaired driving associated with end-of-year work and social functions, with vulnerable road users like pedestrians also deemed at risk, particularly around busy shopping centre precincts.

Last year almost 130,000 motorists were tested for alcohol and drugs during Operation Roadwise, with police anticipating the increase to a 12-day operation this year from 10 days will likely see even more motorists undergoing tests.

With 40 per cent of last year’s Operation Roadwise infringements issued for speeding, police are reminding motorists to keep the foot off the accelerator to avoid a costly Christmas – the penalty for speeding by more than 10km/h but less than 15km/h is $370 and three demerit points, with those exceeding the speed limit by more than 25km/h facing even more significant penalties and a suspended licence.

Mobile phone use continues to be a major contributor to road trauma, with 536 mobile phone infringements issued to drivers during last year’s operation. The penalty for using a mobile phone while driving is $555 and four demerits.

Police are urging motorists not to ignore the warnings around road trauma, with 25 lives lost during December last year.

The operation commenced at 12.01am on Friday, December 16, and concludes at 23.59pm on Tuesday, December 27.

Police enforcement will continue throughout the New Year period, particularly in coastal locations and holiday hotspots.

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