Rochester police using mobile radar detected the motorist travelling at 145kmh along the Northern Highway just after midnight yesterday.

However, when they tried to stop the white sedan, it sped off and police gave chase.

Speeds as high a 165kmh were recorded.

The pursuit, which covered 20km of the Northern Highway before ending at Echuca, was called off because it was deemed to be too dangerous.

Anyone who saw a white sedan travelling at high speed in the Rochester or Echuca area is urged to telephone Rochester police on 5484 1100 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

More than 25 motorists were caught flouting the road rules during a day-long traffic operation aimed at speeding, seat belt and mobile phone offences.

Officers of the Bendigo traffic management unit patrolled the Calder Highway at Ravenswood and High Street, Kangaroo Flat, on Saturday.

As a result: twenty people were caught speeding; six people were fined for not wearing a seat belt; and three people were caught using a mobile phone while driving.

The operation was part of an ongoing agreement with the Transport Accident Commission and Bendigo police in a bid to improve driver safety and cut accidents.