POLICE will be out in force this weekend after a horror start to the year on central Victorian roads.
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Thirteen people have lost their lives on the region's roads during the first six months of the year, the most recent being at Myola on Thursday.
Bendigo Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Paul Gardiner said units from Melbourne's State Highway Patrol would be in the region across the weekend to assist local officers.
He said while the operation would address the first half of the year's road trauma, he hoped an increase in police presence would also remind drivers that it was the end of school holidays.
"It is the end of school holidays and the weather isn't great," he said.
"We want people to be finishing off the holidays safely and not being worried or concerned about going back to school or work and being distracted."
Senior Sergeant Gardiner said the operation would target distraction offences and speed in areas where road trauma was prevalent.
"We will be very visible," he said.
"Our enforcement will be very strong.
"Hopefully we don't catch too many people and that will mean people are doing the right thing."
The operation will finish on Monday night.