Operation Nexus launches for Easter

VICTORIA Police are warning motorists to take extra care on the roads this Easter with three fatal collisions already recorded in first three days of April.

Operation Nexus, launching at midnight on Thursday, will see police ramp up enforcement across the state in an effort to reduce road trauma.

It follows a shocking start to the year which saw 37 lives lost on Victorian roads in January, one of the worst months in recent years. So far this year there have been 87 lives lost statewide, up 33 per cent on last year. 

“Easter is a high-risk period on our roads – it’s a major holiday weekend that attracts significant travel across the state," Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, Glenn Weir stated.

“There have been 11 lives lost on Victorian roads over the last five Easter periods - that’s 11 lives tragically cut short, instead of enjoying Easter with their families, friends and loved ones."

Police are preparing for widespread travel across the state and will be targeting areas deemed high risk.

“We’ll be doing everything we can to drive down road trauma this Easter – Operation Nexus will see our members highly visible and enforcing across the state.

“With so many lives lost on rural roads this year, we’ll be particularly focused on the major arterials leading to regional Victoria and popular holiday hotspots."

Deaths on rural roads make up 60 per cent of this year’s overall fatalities.

Police issued more than 8000 infringements over a five-day Easter operation last year and will again be on the lookout for speeding as well as distracted and impaired drivers.

Motorists are encouraged to use VICSES Driver Reviver sites across the state to manage fatigue on longer trips.

Operation Nexus commences at 12:01am Thursday 6 April and will conclude at 23:59pm on Monday 10 April 2023.