VICTORIA Police will conduct Operation Regal for four days during the Queen’s Birthday weekend, aiming to reduce road trauma across the state.
Police from highway patrol and uniform stations across Victoria will provide a visible presence on roads from 12.01am on Friday to 11.59pm on Monday in a bid to discourage dangerous driving.
Officers will target speed offences and impaired drivers, with increased drug and alcohol testing. Distracted and fatigued drivers will also be targeted.
Acting Senior Sergeant Thomas Brown said long weekends were high-risk periods on Victoria’s roads, especially with winter weather setting in and people travelling to the snow fields.
“If you are travelling this coming weekend, please ensure that your vehicle is up to an acceptable standard and safe to use, that you have rested well enough to undertake the journey and that you leave yourself plenty of time to get to your destination,” he said.
“Too often police are called to the scenes of collisions with tragic consequences that are the direct result of impatience and just did not need to happen.”
Sen Sgt Brown said there had been 11 road deaths in the eastern region division since the start of the year, one less than at the same time last year.
“If you are travelling over this next weekend, enjoy your time with family and friends, take the time to get to your destination safely and return home to loved ones without incident,” he said.
