By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Highway Patrol police are continuing their crackdown on irresponsible drivers in Melbourne’s South-East during the upcoming AFL Grand Final long weekend.
Police had recently performed an Operation Visible blitz on the Monash Freeway as well as a four-weekend crackdown on motorcyclists in Cardinia and a 10-day operation in August.
It was in response to a soaring road toll in Melbourne’s South-East, despite road deaths being slightly down across the state.
Acting Senior Sergeant Stuart Dawson, of Victoria Police, said police would be again “out in force” during the weekend of 28 September to 1 October for Operation Scoreboard.
“There will be a zero tolerance approach with a focus on driver behaviour.
“We want to drive down road trauma across the division.
“We’ll continue our enforcement right up to the Christmas period and beyond.”
Speeding, drink-driving, drug-driving as well as driver inattention and unrestrained drivers would be a particular target, Sen Sgt Dawson said.
His message to drivers off on holiday trips over the weekend was to take regular breaks and avoid fatigue.
“Do not drink and drive, and have a dedicated driver where possible.
“Do not partake in any high-risk behaviour because police are out in force.”
In the recent Operation Balance in Cardinia Shire, police detected 252 speeding drivers, including 14 at more than 25km/h above the speed limit in four weekends in September.
Two vehicles were impounded – one for improper use and one for unlicensed driving.
Ten defective vehicle notices were issued.
In a “positive result”, Sen Sgt Dawson said no offences were detected during 1227 breath tests.
During Operation Prominent in August, police issued more than 1100 infringements in 10 days.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said he wanted motorists to “keep their eyes on the road” ahead of this long weekend.
“Last year we were lucky that no one lost their lives on the roads over the weekend – we did however have about 120 collisions were people were injured.”
During the statewide blitz last year, 250 drink drivers and 202 drug drivers were detected.
“I want people to enjoy and embrace the festivities, I will be barracking for the Tigers, but if you are going to drink just don’t get in the car or on your bike.
“If you see someone who has been drinking and is about to jump in a car or on a bike, stop them, call them out on it.
“Let’s look after one another on the roads.”
Operation Scoreboard will run from 12.01am Thursday 28 September until 11.59pm Sunday 1 October.
