Police in Geelong, Wyndham and the Surf Coast are vowing to crack down on dangerous driving over the Grand Final long weekend, as the state’s road toll continues to soar.
Three deaths in the last three days, including one at Wyndham Vale, have lifted the number of lives lost on Victorian roads this year to 210, 28 higher than at the same time in 2022.
Operation Scoreboard will kick off this Thursday and will run until midnight Sunday, across all operational Police Regions and Police Service Areas.
Last year more than 7000 drivers were caught for a range of offences including driving and drug driving, speed, fatigue, distraction offences and seat-belt compliance, over the weekend of the AFL Grand Final.
Acting Sergeant Jamie Davidson from Geelong Highway Patrol said the high road toll was a real concern for police.
“We can only do our best to try to get out there and be visible and slow people down,” he said.
“Have those conversations with your family and friends, (ask them) to slow down and take it easy – get where you need to get to and get home safe.”
Sergeant Davidson said no-one should be temped to get behind the wheel if there was even a chance they are over the limit.
“Ubers and taxis are very accessible these days, more so than they used to be so there’s just no excuse.
“Everyone’s got a friend that doesn’t drink, and everyone’s got access to their phone.”
Accident statistics show the most dangerous times for collisions over holiday periods are when people are setting out for their destinations, and when they are returning home.
Police said the keys to safe holiday travels include patience and planning. They also advised drivers to take a 15 minute break at least every two hours to minimise the risk of fatigue.
