The message to motorists this Easter long weekend is clear—drive safely, plan ahead and take regular breaks.
Acting Minister for Police and Emergency Services Danny Pearson on Wednesday joined Road Safety Minister Ben Carroll, Victoria Police and the Victorian State Emergency Services (VICSES) to remind motorists to drive safe this Easter.
Victoria Police will be out in force targeting speeding, drug and drink driving, fatigue and irresponsible behaviour such as mobile phone use, as part of the annual five-day road safety campaign Operation Nexus.
Local police officers will be supported by specialist resources including highway patrol, heavy vehicle units, solo-unit motorcycles and the operations response unit.
Booze and drug buses will be deployed across both metropolitan and regional Victoria throughout the Easter long weekend – targeting holiday hot spots, regional highways and popular city roads.
SES volunteers will be on hand at more than 25 Driver Reviver locations around the state offering free tea, coffee and biscuits in addition to TAC Pause Stops in prominent locations across regional Victoria, an official press release said.
SES volunteers in Victoria respond to an average 1,300 road crash rescues every year and the Driver Reviver Program is designed to provide motorists a safe place to stop and refresh.
Key Driver Reviver sites with SES volunteers on hand include the:
- Hume Fwy at Balmattum (near Euroa)
- Princess Hwy at Traralgon West, Stratford, Bruthen and Newmeralla (near Orbost) and Cann River
- Western Hwy at Bungalally near Horsham
- Calder Hwy at Marong.
The TAC road safety campaign ‘the lucky ones get caught’ will also run over the weekend highlighting the reality of dangerous driving and encouraging people to reflect on their own driving behaviour and consider the impact to themselves and others.
Already this year, 61 people have been killed on Victorian roads and police will not hesitate to issue penalties to motorists putting themselves and others in danger.
Every year, Victoria Police conducts up to four million alcohol screening tests statewide, with 1.1 million of these tests conducted through booze and drug buses. A recent Andrews Labor Government investment of $6.6 million is ensuring Victoria Police can once again deliver 150,000 drug driving tests again in 2020–21.
“Drivers and other road users all have a responsibility to help reduce the number of lives lost on our roads. Those distracted, impaired or driving dangerously will be caught and will face the consequences,” said Pearson.
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