Victoria Police are pleading with motorists to prioritise road safety over the Christmas and New Year period as Operation Roadwise commences tomorrow.
The statewide road policing operation will run for an extended 20-day period. Police will be highly visible across the state’s major roads and arterials.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner, Glenn Weir says there will be a significant focus on impaired driving with police conducting widespread alcohol and drug testing every day.
“As we head towards the end of the year, we’re urging everyone to make road safety a priority,” Weir said.
Police conducted more than 300,000 preliminary breath tests and almost 9000 roadside drug tests during last year’s Operation Roadwise.
Data shows December is the worst month of the year for drink-drive offending, recording the highest number of drunk-driving detections and most collisions where the driver was over the blood alcohol limit.
“There will be a significant focus on impaired drivers so motorists should expect to be tested anywhere, any time and be prepared to face the consequences if you’re caught over the limit,” Weir said.
Motorists are warned they should expect to be tested anywhere, at any time, and to separate drinking from driving by planning, arranging a designated driver, or using alternative transport.
Police will be highly visible on roads around coastal areas and popular holiday hotspots across regional Victoria.
“December is a high-risk period on our roads – we know there is a significant risk associated with impaired driving and we also see an influx of traffic as people head on holidays to regional areas,” Weir said.
Boxing Day is one of the busiest days for travel across Victoria and police are urging those hitting the roads to be patient, avoid distractions and take regular breaks to prevent fatigue.
Motorists are advised to obey the road rules and adhere to the speed limits to avoid receiving an infringement and having a costly Christmas.
Police issued over 19,000 traffic infringements during last year’s Operation Roadwise including 7631 speeding offences.
There were 17 lives lost on Victorian roads last year between 15 December and 1 January.
There have been 273 lives lost on Victoria roads to date, which is slightly below 276 at the same time last year.
Operation Roadwise commences at midnight on Friday, 13 December 13 and concludes at midnight on Wednesday, January 1 2025.
