Drugs and alcohol will be a focus for police this Easter as they mount a statewide operation on the roads.
The force’s anywhere, any time enforcement approach will continue over the high-risk period, with police out in force this Easter long weekend.
As Victoria Police launches Operation Nexus, which will run from Thursday to Easter Monday, it warns motorists that officers could be anywhere at any time.
Major arterials and roads leading to regional Victoria and holiday hotspots will be key enforcement areas.
Police intelligence shows a recent spike in drivers getting behind the wheel when they’re drug or alcohol affected.
Police efforts this long weekend will include marked and unmarked vehicles, as well as the force’s booze and drug bus fleet.
In addition to impairment, speed, fatigue, distraction, and seatbelt compliance will be in the sights of police.
Statewide, 69 lives have been lost on Victorian roads this year compared with 76 last year.
Deaths on rural roads represent more than half of this year’s fatalities.
Of this year’s fatal crashes, four lives were lost on roads within an hour’s drive of the Shepparton central business district — with deadly crashes in Euroa, Kialla East, Picola and Rushworth.
A total of 13 lives have been lost over Easter in the past six years.
Eastern Region Division 3 highway patrol Senior Sergeant Emma Moloney urged motorists to stay safe on the roads.
“Historically, the Easter period is the highest peak for serious injury and fatal collisions out this way,” she said.
“We have Easter and the school holidays, so lots of people will be travelling.”
Sen Sgt Moloney said there had been six fatalities in her region this year — including the Kialla East and Euroa ones.
She also said Greater Shepparton had seen 13 serious injury collisions this year — one more than the same time last year.
“We’re finding a lot in our area are single vehicles leaving the road and into stationary objects,” she said.
Sen Sgt Moloney urged people to pay attention when driving.
“Plan your journey, know the roads you are travelling on … and don’t be encouraged by distractions such as mobile phones,” she said.
Sen Sgt Moloney also encouraged drivers to use Driver Reviver sites during the long weekend.
She also urged motorbike riders to wear appropriate gear, to be vigilant, to ride with other people if possible, and, if they were riding off-road, to know their skills and ride accordingly.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said Operation Nexus would see police out in force across Victoria and urged drivers to stay safe on the road.
“It’s also important to remember every police car is a booze bus, and drivers can be breath tested at any time,” he said.
“We want everyone to survive this Easter and will be doing all we can to make sure that happens.”