In Victoria, nearly 1000 people were fined for speeding during nationwide police blitz Operation Safe Speeds on November 16, 106 of them in the policing division that encompasses central Victoria.

In total, there were 123 offences detected across the division, the second-highest number of offences in the state.

Senior Sergeant Ian Brooks from Bendigo Highway Patrol said the division’s result for the 24 hours were “very disappointing”.

In the division during the day-long operation, there were also two-drink drivers and one reported serious injury collision at Gisborne.

Senior Sergeant Brooks said there had been a focus on areas where people were most vulnerable, such as around pedestrian crossings and in school zones.

Victoria Police road policing command Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer also said the operation results were concerning given speed was a major contributing factor in collisions.

“We’re really keen for the community to understand the impact of speed on our roads,” Assistant Commissioner Fryer said.

“Even low level speeding of five or 10 km/h over the limit doubles the chance of a collision.”

The highest speed detected in Victoria was 185 km/h in a 100 km/h zone, a speed Assistant Commissioner Fryer described as “absolute madness”.

The speed offences do not include those detected by a speed camera.

Senior Sergeant Brooks said people needed to drive to the conditions.

In Victoria, 14 drink-drivers were also found from 4416 breath tests conducted in the 24 hours and 22 people were driving under the influence of drugs, from 166 drug tests.

Police also found 31 disqualified drivers, 43 unlicensed drivers and 120 unregistered vehicles.

There were 104 mobile phone offences, 114 instances of motorists disobeying signs or signals, 10 vehicle impounds, and 58 seatbelt offences.