Alcohol, drugs, speeding offences on long weekend in Greater Shepparton

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Police operation: Greater Shepparton police detected 58 driving offences during a five-day operation targeting high-risk driving behaviour. Photo by Megan Fisher

Greater Shepparton police detected 58 driving offences in the area during a five-day operation for the AFL grand final long weekend.

An unlicensed driver had their vehicle impounded, three drivers were picked up for alcohol or drug driving, with other drivers caught committing speeding, mobile phone and seatbelt offences.

Shepparton police Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Murray Moser said it was disappointing people continued to commit driving offences.

“It’s unfortunate, especially on a weekend when there are so many police around because of the long weekend and the celebrations going on,” he said.

Sgt Moser said it was likely further offences were detected locally by state highway patrol units and a booze bus that was set up in the area.

Statewide more than 7000 offences were detected by Victoria Police during Operation Scoreboard, which ran from Wednesday, September 21 to Sunday, September 25.

Police targeted high-risk driving behaviour, focusing on speeding, impaired driving and distraction.

There was also an increased focus on motorcycle safety during the operation after a recent spike in motorcycle trauma, resulting in 238 offences detected.

Nearly 500 drivers were driving while unlicensed, disqualified or suspended, 2881 drivers were caught speeding and there were 224 drink driving and 212 drug driving offences.

In Lake Eildon, a 20-year-old man riding a motorised esky on a dirt track was pulled over by police and fined $925 for using an unregistered vehicle.

Three lives were lost during the long weekend; a motorist was struck and killed while changing a car tyre in Deer Park, and there were motorcyclist fatalities in Leopold and Gerangamete.