Motorists still have lessons to learn as weekend closes on Operation Nexus

It may have been a quieter long weekend for many, but unfortunately the Easter break didn’t translate to a quieter time for Victoria Police, with many motorists still making rash decisions on the road.

Police were out and about as part of Operation Nexus, an annual road policing focus that aims to prevent death and serious injury by targeting speeding, impairment, fatigue, distraction and seatbelt offences.

But the message didn’t sink in for everyone, with police detecting 259 drug drivers, 124 drink drivers and 3610 speeding offences, among others.

Intercepts across the weekend included:

– A Sydney man allegedly travelling at 174km/h in an 80km/h zone in Wodonga;

– A 32-year-old Avondale Heights motorcyclist allegedly speeding at 123km/h in an 80km/h zone along the Calder Freeway, and again at 137km/h in a 50km/h zone in Diggers Rest;

– A 21-year-old allegedly travelling at 169km/h in a 100km/h zone in Thomastown and returning a reading of .047 per cent on a breath test.

– A 29-year-old woman who returned an alleged reading of .162 per cent in Narre Warren;

– A 21-year-old Queensland man and learner driver who returned an alleged reading of .135 per cent after a car crashed into a traffic signal in Keysborough; and

– A 26-year-old woman who returned an alleged reading of .240 per cent in Berwick.

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy said it was fortunate there had been no deaths resulting from irresponsible choices across the five days.

“We take comfort in the fact no one has died as a result of stupidity on our roads this weekend,” AC Murphy said.

“But it’s this sort of reckless and selfish behaviour that can lead to a lifetime of grief for others.

“It can take a split second for excessive speed or impairment to eradicate a life.

“We can only hope – while these drivers live with the consequences of having their vehicles temporarily impounded, their licences removed or their day in court – that they realise this is the far better outcome.”

Operation Nexus ran from 12.01am on Thursday 9 April to 11.59pm on Monday 13 April.

A total of 8283 traffic and criminal offences were detected, including:

• 3610 speeding offences

• 243 disqualified/suspended drivers

• 398 unlicensed drivers

• 902 unregistered vehicles

• 246 mobile phone offences

• 354 disobey signs/signals

• 158 vehicle impounds

/Public Release. View in full here.