Operation Roadwise: Keeping Drivers Safe This Christmas

Photo: heraldsun.com.au

Minister for Police Lisa Neville today joined Victoria Police to announce Operation Roadwise – a 24-day state-wide road campaign targeting dangerous driving, drug driving and irresponsible behaviour on our roads over summer.

From today, Police will be out in force at popular holiday destinations in metropolitan and regional parts of the state, providing a highly visible and mobile police presence to encourage safe driving.

Drivers are reminded to use simple strategies that can reduce risks on the road – including driver reviver strategies to avoid fatigue, staying off mobile phones while driving, and being alert on unfamiliar roads.

Since the start of the year, 278 people have lost their lives on our roads– 35 more than the same time last year.

Police say the main factors in these road deaths were speed and impaired driving caused by alcohol, drugs and fatigue.

The Andrews Labor Government is investing a record $1.1 billion over five years as part of our Towards Zero road safety strategy, to deliver safer roads and protect Victorian motorists.

Towards Zero targets dangerous driving, speeding, drinking and behaviour that puts other motorists at risk.

As part of the Community Safety Statement and the Labor Government’s record $2 billion investment in police, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology is being rolled out across the entire Highway Patrol fleet.

This will put police at the cutting-edge to identify unlicensed drivers, unregistered vehicles and outstanding warrants.

The Government is also providing ongoing funding for police to deliver more than 100,000 roadside drug tests every year.

We want to take dangerous drivers off the roads, and keep innocent motorists safe this holiday period.