General News
14 December, 2023
Major police operation nabs 59 drivers
A MAJOR highway policing operation saw police nab 59 drivers for a range of offences.
Operation United was conducted earlier this month, which saw police intercept hundreds of vehicles targeting dangerous and reckless drivers on highways between Victoria and South Australia.
The operation involved numerous roving police patrols and roadside checkpoints on the Western and Princes Highways and country backroads.
A total of 37 drivers were caught speeding, with 31 caught travelling between 10kmph and 25kmph over the speed limit.
Highway Patrol and general duties police breath tested over 900 drivers, with only one driver caught with an alleged blood alcohol reading (BAC) over 0.05 per cent while another was caught driving while allegedly drug impaired.
Three drivers were caught not wearing a seatbelt, and two people were caught driving while using their mobile phone.
Warrnambool superintendent Melissa Webbers said throughout Operation United police officers had actively engaged with drivers, not only enforcing the law but also taking the opportunity to educate them about safe driving practices.
“Our intel shows that most collisions on regional roads are being caused by minor forms of non-compliance – meaning that simple mistakes behind the wheel are leading to catastrophic consequences,” she said.
“Some of the factors include people not wearing seatbelts, travelling at high or inappropriate speed or failing to stop at red lights or give way at intersections.
“Police will be doing everything we can to stop the extremely high levels of trauma we’re experiencing, but we can’t do it alone.”
Police intelligence shows speed and driver distraction has been a major contributor to serious injury collisions on regional roads this year.
Police will continue to have a major focus on drink and drug driving over the remainder of the year, with a state-wide road policing operation launched this month.
Superintendent Webbers encouraged drivers to get back to basics and drive with care.
“Let’s all get back to basics and focus on the key behaviours that will keep us safe when driving – slow down, put down the mobile phone, and pay attention to road signs, other road users and your surroundings,” she said.
"To anyone who doesn’t use this as an opportunity to rethink their own behaviour I ask – if not now, when?”
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads during the festive period, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.