April road blitz continues

Reducing road trauma: Phase two of Operation Compass will begin at midnight this Friday. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

Eastern Region Acting Senior Sergeant Emma Moloney said drivers were generally well-behaved across the Easter long weekend this year.

“We are extremely appreciative of the driver behaviour over the weekend,” she said.

The first phase of Operation Compass recorded a total of 340 traffic offences in the Eastern Police Region.

Of those, 25 were either drug or alcohol related, Sen Sgt Moloney said.

Police attended four collisions that resulted in injuries in the Goulburn Valley and three of those involved motorcycle riders both on and off-road, she said.

“The vast majority of serious injuries in this area are as a result of off-road motorbikes,” Sen Sgt Moloney said.

“Please be aware of your riding ability in the bush.”

Across Victoria, close to 8000 offences were detected by Victoria Police.

A spokesperson said one in every 326 drivers tested was drink driving, with more than 100,000 tests conducted by police officers.

Two people died on Victorian roads across the weekend, bringing the total fatalities this year to 78.

Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing Glenn Weir said police would be “going all-out” to reduce accidents on the roads.

“Despite our best efforts, we still sadly saw two lives lost on Victorian roads over the weekend and police caught thousands of motorists engaging in unacceptable behaviour, putting themselves and others at risk,” he said.

“We are pleading with motorists to please be patient and stay alert when travelling and returning home from holidays.”

Phase two of Operation Compass starts at midnight Friday, April 22, with extra police vehicles patrolling the roads in time for the Anzac Day long weekend.

It ends at 11.59pm Monday, April 25.

Sen Sgt Moloney said police would once again be targeting drink and drug driving, speeding and other forms of dangerous driving.

“We are hoping drivers are as vigilant and well behaved as the weekend just gone,” she said.