The 11-day statewide road policing operation comes as the number of lives lost in Victoria reached 236, already surpassing last year’s total of 234 and sitting well above the five-year average of 221.
Police are providing 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 such as 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 predicting the increase to a 12-day operation this year from 10 days will see even more motorists undergoing tests.
With 40 per cent of last year’s Operation Roadwise fines 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 will finish at 11.59pm on Tuesday, December 27.
Police enforcement will continue throughout the new year period.
Seymour police Acting Sergeant Ryan Coleman said police would be targeting all the common factors that led to road trauma in locations with higher rates of serious collisions and fatalities.
“We are not targeting anything specific, just reducing road trauma, targeting the fatal five — fear, fatigue, speeding, distractions and mobile phone use,” Sgt Coleman said.
“Given the festive period, the likelihood of people drinking and driving is a little bit more prevalent given the celebrations that are occurring.
“We would much rather prevent road trauma than react to it after it’s already happened.”
Sgt Coleman said the operation was also likely to focus on peak times when people were likely to be on the road travelling to their holiday destinations.
“We appreciate everyone has somewhere to be at this time of year, but there is no point in rushing if it leads to you having an accident,” Sgt Coleman said.
“It can quite easily become quite dangerous and serious on the roads with very silly mistakes.
“Given the time of year, we want to make sure that everybody gets home safe and gets to celebrate Christmas with their loved ones.”
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