Victoria Police will launch its road safety program, Operation Roadwise, on Friday, December 13, in an attempt to prevent a rise in driving-related injuries and fatalities during the holiday period.
The program will run until the end of Wednesday, January 1, with the aim of reducing road trauma and influencing road-user behaviour, with a particular focus on speeding and impaired driving.
Drink driving, drug driving and driving on country roads are other issues that Victoria Police will be focusing on.
“Every life lost on the roads is preventable, and we are doing all we can to reduce road trauma,” Echuca Police Station Acting Sergeant Gary Atkins said.
“Extreme behaviours such as driving without a licence, travelling at excessive speed, high-range drink driving, drug driving or a combination of these behaviours contribute to about a quarter of fatal collisions.
“Everyone has a role to play in road safety. Drive to the conditions, expect the unexpected and avoid distractions.
“Ultimately, we want all road users to take responsibility for their actions and make better choices that will keep themselves, their passengers and all road users safe.
“Enjoy the festive season with family and friends but most importantly, be safe on the roads.”
Speeding is the biggest killer on roads in Victoria, particularly country roads — more than half of all lives lost on Victorian roads occur in rural and regional areas.
Speed contributes to at least 30 per cent of fatalities and a quarter of serious injuries each year. Even slowing down by just 5km/h means there is a 15 per cent decrease in crashes and could save a life.
Speeding at 10km/h to 24km/h over the limit attracts a $395 fine and three demerit points.
“As a community, we should never prioritise shaving a couple of minutes off our journey over losing a life or causing a life-changing injury,” Sgt Atkins said.
“Country people die on country roads. People living locally shouldn’t fool themselves into thinking road trauma doesn’t happen to them.
“That is why we are focusing on enhancing our visible presence and enforcement in rural areas.
“This includes not only local police but the deployment of specialist units, such as our state highway patrol.”
Another major emphasis of the program is minimising and preventing driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Roughly a quarter of all fatal crashes involve a driver or rider over the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.05, yet drugs cause more deaths on Victoria’s roads than alcohol.
Victoria Police conducts three million breath tests every year while also conducting 150,000 drug tests annually.
Anyone caught drink driving faces heavy fines and a loss of licence, while first-time offending drug drivers will be fined $593 and have their licence or learner permit suspended for six months.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads during the festive period, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.