If there’s one thing Victorians can bet on during this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival, it’s that police will be out in force ensuring punters and fashionistas alike are taking safety off the track seriously.
Police will be saturating the state’s roads as part of Operation Furlong, which targets driver, rider and pedestrian behaviour over the five-day period leading up to the nation-stopping race.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane said the 228 lives lost on our roads this year was as strong a reason as ever for people to plan their journeys responsibly before making a poor decision behind the wheel.
“The spring racing calendar is a highly-anticipated time for Victorians, but with that comes an increased risk on our roads and freeways as people travel from across the state to enjoy the events on offer,” AC Leane said.
“We know Victorians love getting dressed up and heading to the races and social gatherings for a good day out and that’s what we want them to do.
“But we can’t afford to see people drinking or taking illicit substances and thinking it’s then okay to hop in the car and drive home.”
AC Leane said this also applied to those who parked their vehicles at train stations, took public transport to the races, consumed alcohol and then drove their cars back home from the station.
“There’s no use doing the right thing for part of the way – we need you taking responsibility for the entire journey,” he said.
Police will be working hard to remove drug and drink-affected drivers from the road with booze and drug buses deployed to test as many drivers as possible.
Officers will also be targeting fatigue, driver distraction and seatbelt offences.
“We want to make it as clear as possible; if you do the wrong thing, you will get caught,” AC Leane said.
Operation Furlong runs from 12.01am on Friday 1 November to 11.59pm on Tuesday 5 November.
