Police will be doing their best to drive down road trauma during the high-risk Christmas period as Operation Roadwise starts on Friday, December 16.
The 11-day statewide road policing operation comes as the number of lives lost in Victoria reached 236, already surpassing last year’s total of 234 and sitting well above the five-year average of 221.
The operation will see police provide highly visible enforcement on Victoria’s major arterial roads and highways in an effort to reduce road trauma and detect dangerous drivers before someone is hurt.
Police intelligence shows there is an increased risk of impaired driving associated with end-of-year work and social functions, with vulnerable road users such as pedestrians also deemed at risk, particularly around busy shopping centre precincts.
Last year almost 130,000 motorists were tested for alcohol and drugs during Operation Roadwise, with police predicting the increase to a 12-day operation this year from 10 days will see even more motorists undergoing tests.
With 40 per cent of last year’s Operation Roadwise fines issued for speeding, police are reminding motorists to keep the foot off the accelerator to avoid a costly Christmas — the penalty for speeding by more than 10km/h but less than 15km/h is $370 and three demerit points, with those exceeding the speed limit by more than 25km/h facing even more significant penalties and a suspended licence.
Mobile phone use continues to be a major contributor to road trauma, with 536 mobile phone infringements issued to drivers during last year’s operation.
The penalty for using a mobile phone while driving is $555 and four demerits.
Police are urging motorists not to ignore the warnings around road trauma, with 25 lives lost during December last year.
The operation starts at 12.01am on Friday, December 16 and will finish at 11.59pm on Tuesday, December 27.
Police enforcement will continue throughout the new year period.
Road policing Acting Assistant Commissioner Justin Goldsmith the level of road trauma being experienced this year was “quite alarming”.
“We’ve already surpassed last year’s total lives lost, and concerningly there are still a few weeks remaining in the year. We’re also trending well above the five-year average,” he said.
“Nobody is immune from road trauma – it is something that impacts all of us, and it’s up to every road user to do their bit to keep themselves and other road users safe.
“We don’t want to see anybody else succumb to road trauma this year, particularly at Christmas.
Act Assistant Commissioner Goldsmith said Christmas could be costly for those who chose to ignore road rules.
“The penalties for speeding, drink and drug driving and using your mobile phone are significant, and we make no apologies for enforcing these rules – it could save someone’s life,” he said.