By Grace Frost
Police have warned they will be a highly visible presence on Victoria’s major arterial roads, including the Hume Freeway and Northern Highway, as part of Operation Roadwise.
The statewide road policing operation, which started on Friday, will attempt to drive down road trauma and detect dangerous drivers during the high-risk Christmas period.
Operation Roadwise comes as the number of lives lost on Victorian roads this yera reaches 236, surpassing last year’s total of 234 and the five-year average of 221.
Senior Sergeant David Gillespie, the officer in charge of Eastern Region Division Three Highway Patrol, said the operation placed particular focus on impaired driving, including drinking and drug driving, speeding, mobile phone use and fatigue.
Almost 130,000 motorists were tested for alcohol and drugs during Operation Roadwise last year, with police anticipating the increase to a 12-day operation this year from 10 days last year will see even more motorists undergoing tests.
Sen Sgt Gillespie said an increased risk of impaired driving throughout the Christmas period was often associated with inadequate preparation by drivers.
“This time of year, we’ve found that people are so excited about the destination they’re getting to that they don’t really prepare themselves very well in the lead up to driving some distance,” he said.
Sen Sgt Gillespie said drivers should prepare for driving by having had plenty of sleep and ensuring they did not consume drugs or alcohol the night prior to travel.
He said motorists should also account for an increased volume of traffic on the roads by leaving early, which he said would also deter the temptation to speed.
Forty per cent of last year’s Operation Roadwise infringements were issued for speeding, with many drivers fined $370 and losing three demerit points for speeding by more than 10km/h but less than 15km/h.
Those exceeding the speed limit by more than 25km/h face even greater penalties and a suspended licence.
Sen Sgt Gillespie recommended drivers planned for enough time to take regular breaks during long trips, which he said would also provide much-needed support to towns and small businesses that had suffered through floods and lockdowns.
“[Road users] can buy a cup of coffee and support our local businesses, which in turn gives them a chance to recharge the batteries, refocus and then continue on their journey,” he said.
Drivers can also use the State Emergency Service’s Driver Reviver sites, which offer motorists a safe place to stop and refresh with free coffee, tea and snacks at roadside locations.
Sen Sgt Gillespie said it was important that passengers evaluated their driver, including if they were fatigued, had too much to drink or were using their phone.
“When you get in the vehicle as a passenger, you will effectively put your life in the hands of the driver,” he said.
Sen Sgt Gillespie said passengers should be brave enough to call out dangerous road use, and in the event they could not stop it, contact police.
Police urged motorists not to ignore the warnings around road trauma, with 25 lives lost during December last year.
“I’d ask those celebrating Christmas with their friends and family and community to spare a thought for the families and communities of loved ones who have been lost in road trauma this year,” Sen Sgt Gillespie said.
