Police in Bendigo and across the state will blitz holiday hotspots during the Christmas and new year period in Operation Roadwise, which commenced on Friday.
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The 24-day statewide operation will target dangerous driving, drug-driving and irresponsible behaviour on Victorian roads.
The aim, in addition to detecting offences, is to provide a really highly-visible and mobile policing presence in the area as well as to re-enforce positive driving behaviours.
- Jason McDermott
Bendigo senior sergeant Jason McDermott said the focus locally would be on speed, fatigue, impaired driving and distraction.
“The aim, in addition to detecting offences, is to provide a really highly-visible and mobile policing presence in the area as well as to re-enforce positive driving behaviours,” he said.
“Hopefully this will lessen the instances of road trauma in the lead-up to Christmas.”
Meanwhile the Transport Accident Commission also launched a new version of its ‘the party’s over’ campaign, complete with invitations (fines), dress ups (uniforms), straws (breathalysers), lollipops (drug testing kits) and loud music (sirens) to push the message that this is not the type of party people want to be at.
TAC chief executive officer Joe Calafiore said while the vast majority of Victorians were safe, responsible drivers everyone needed to understand the consequences of taking risks.
“If you speed, text at the wheel or drink-drive, a fine and a loss of licence is the best thing that can happen to you,” he said.
“The small number of people who still engage in these behaviours are responsible for the majority of deaths on our roads and they need to understand that they will be caught because the alternative is far worse.”
Almost 280 people have lost their lives on Victorian roads so far this year – 35 more than the same time last year, with police pinpointing speed, drink/drug-driving and fatigue as the main factors in the fatalities.
