By Brendan Rees
Sixty-three motorists have been hit with speeding fines in Casey as part of an Easter road blitz by Victoria Police.
During the five-day Operation Nexus period, police detected 158 offences – including 33 unregistered vehicles, and six drink drivers.
Thirty-three unregistered vehicles and eight unlicensed drivers were also detected.
Other common offences included mobile phone (5), impoundments (2), drug-driving (8), and six disqualified drivers, and one seat belt offence.
Casey Highway Patrol Sergeant Pat McGavigan said overall the results were “great” for Casey.
“The results are positive for Casey; it shows the majority of people are doing the right thing and should be congratulated for their good work,” he said.
“But to catch one person speeding, or one person drink driving or one person using drugs in their system is disappointing.
“With all the advertising that goes on they need to think about whether they should be driving on the roads,” Sgt McGavigan added.
During Easter, three died on Victorian roads including a 19-year-old man who fell from the rear of a ute in Frankston.
Across the state, police detected 11,674 offences including 4,221 speeding drivers.
On average, one in 16 tested drivers were found to be either drink driving or under the influence of illicit drugs.
In the wake of the operation, Road Police Command Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane said every driving offence could take a life in a “split second”.
“Every person that gets behind the wheel of a car needs to realise this and accept the responsibility they have to ensure that they themselves and the motorists they share the road with get home safely.”
Police would continue a strong presence on the roads during the Anzac Day holiday period, Asst Comm Leane said.
“We will be working hard to ensure the tragedies we have seen during Easter are not repeated.”
