Victoria Police is urging motorists to take extra care on the roads over the King’s Birthday long weekend as the number of lives lost surges to a 16-year high.
Operation Regal, launched today, will see police ramp up enforcement across Victoria to drive down road trauma.
Some roads that lead to the High Country, such as the Melba Highway from Dixons Creek, are also severely damaged, with lowered speed limits in place. This section of highway has caused serious damage to local farmers’ tractors and destroyed heavily modified four-wheel-drive suspension, such as Patrols and Land Cruisers.
Many locals have had serious accidents, had vehicle damage or been ‘thrown off the road’ in this area. It is strongly advised to follow the reduced speed limits.
Road Policing Command Acting Assistant Commissioner, David Byrt has his team out in force following a terrible period on Victorian roads, which saw 37 lives lost during May – the worst May for fatalities on record since 2004.
There have now been 136 lives lost on Victorian roads in 2025, up 14 per cent on the same time last year.
“Driving during winter presents additional challenges, such as navigating slippery roads and poor visibility, and there is less room for error,” Byrt said.
The last time 136 or more lives were lost recorded at this time of the year was in 2008, with 137 lives lost.
Police are particularly concerned about the increase in fatalities involving vulnerable road users, with eight motorcycle fatalities during May and a further six pedestrian deaths.
Excessive or inappropriate speed, rider inexperience and unauthorised riding have been identified as key contributing factors in motorcycle trauma.
Driver inattention and failing to give way are both major factors in collisions involving vehicles and vulnerable road users.
With winter officially getting underway this week, police are urging drivers to take extra care and pay attention behind the wheel, particularly with reduced daylight hours and inclement weather impacting visibility and conditions.
Speeding and distracted motorists will be a key focus for police over the King’s Birthday long weekend, which has been identified as a high-risk period on Victoria’s roads.
Police will target major arterials and highways leading to the state’s holiday hotspots, including the alpine areas with the state’s snow season expected to kick off from this weekend.
“We’ll be highly visible and enforcing across the state’s roads this long weekend, cracking down on any dangerous driving behaviour that puts other road users at risk,” Byrt said.
Those heading to the snow are being urged to monitor conditions prior to travelling and ensure they’re carrying and using appropriate wheel chains as legally required.
With several events and festivals scheduled across the weekend, such as the Alexandra Truck Ute & Rod Show, police are also reminding motorists to avoid driving while impaired, with widespread drug and alcohol testing to be conducted anywhere, anytime.
During last year’s Operation Regal enforcement period, police issued more than 7000 infringements.
“We’re appealing to everyone to make road safety their number one priority, every time they get behind the wheel or are out using our roads, to eliminate this unnecessary and avoidable trauma,” Byrt said.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.
