I know that I have written about road safety in the past, but it is very important considering the number of fatalities that occurred over the same period last year.  

As you read this article many people, including yourselves, may have already travelled elsewhere for an enjoyable long weekend break in the country, the city or along our great coastline.   

Hopefully you all arrived safe and well.

The Labour Day long weekend last year was a terrible time on Victoria’s roads – nine people were killed and almost 200 were injured.   

The weekend recorded the highest number of collisions and injuries since 2010.  

More than 8500 traffic offences were detected during Operation Arid last year. 

This simply isn’t good enough.  

Police will be out in force to ensure we don’t see a repeat of the carnage from last year.   

Be aware you can be caught anywhere, at any time.

Operation Arid was launched yesterday and is a four-day traffic operation that aims to turn around the trend of high levels of road trauma at this time.  

The warmer weather and conditions sees more motorcycles on the road and traditionally there have been high levels of motorcycle trauma.  

Momentary lapses in concentration, recklessness, distraction and inexperience can all have tragic results, particularly when motorcycles are involved.

During Operation Arid, police will be saturating the roads, patrolling high-risk areas across our state. 

People can expect to have their numberplates scanned, be breath-tested, drug-tested and speed-checked by police.  

Members will be using BlueNet vehicles, motorcycles, marked and unmarked police cars, Automatic Number Plate Recognition, drug and booze buses and mobile speed cameras.  

So if you shouldn’t be on the road, don’t take the risk.  

Bendigo is one area that will be a focus of the operation.

I ask you all to obey the road laws, to not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol and to show courtesy to other road users.

A weekend free of road fatalities and serious injury is what we all should be striving for.  

Have a good Labour Day long weekend and stay safe.