BENDIGO Police warn they will be out in force in coming days, following a police pursuit which saw a driver crash his car into a tree. 
Senior Constable Niall King said police had interviewed a 24-year-old man in relation to the incident. 
“Police attempted to intercept a driver who was going well in excess of 100km/hr in a 60km/hr zone on Collins Street, Kangaroo Flat, at about 2pm on December 24,” he said. 
“The short pursuit ended when the driver lost control of the car on a dirt road and drove into a tree.
“He is uninjured and will be charged with conduct endangering life and driving unlicensed.”
Senior Constable King said about 15 other drivers had received penalty notices over the last two days for basic traffic offences, including speeding, mobile phone use and not wearing a seatbelt. 
Sergeant Damian Keegan said four people were also picked up in Bendigo CBD on Christmas Eve for being drunk in a public place.
“We don’t mind people enjoying themselves but they must  respect one another and make sure their behaviour doesn’t impact on others,” he said. 
Sergeant Keegan said police would remain out in force throughout the holiday season to ensure people arrived home safely. 
He said it was a particularly dangerous time on the road, due to distraction, fatigue and increased traffic.
“We want to be out there to make sure people comply with the road rules,” he said. 
“We’d rather be doing that than knocking on people’s doors and telling them their family member isn’t ever coming home.”