Getting to the destination as quick as possible was obviously more important than arriving safely this long weekend. Of the 8060 traffic offences across the state, 3413 were issued to people speeding.
On Saturday night alone, the State Highway Patrol intercepted:
An international driver travelling 159km an hour on the Princes Highway Waurn Ponds with eight passengers in the vehicle.
A male P Plater driving 157km on the Princes Highway in Lara. The vehicle was subsequently impounded.
A female driver clocked doing 92km in a 60 zone on Cape Otway Road, Moriac.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy said it was disappointing to see so many examples of people excessively speeding.
“This type of behaviour will not be tolerated by Victoria Police,” AC Libby Murphy said.
“Our bodies are a fragile thing and there is only so much force we can take before we are seriously injured or killed in a crash.
“If we throw into the mix country roads, limited visibility at night and inexperienced driving – it is a recipe for disaster. We were lucky that none of these incidents resulted in a more severe outcome.”
Over the four-day operation, 209 drug driving offences were recorded. This is on top of 257 offences recorded for drink driving.
A driver, motorcyclist and horse rider were also added to the number of lives lost for 2020, taking the state’s total to 50 people.
Tragedy also struck another family this long weekend with a horrific incident involving a falling tree and a car, killing three people in the Dandenong Ranges on Sunday.
“You cannot begin to imagine how these families are feeling, not to mention the police who had the task of delivering the news,” AC Murphy said.
“Even though the operation is over, we urge drivers to stay safe on the road.”
More than 8060 traffic offences were detected during Operation Arid including:
• 176 disqualified/suspended drivers
• 265 unlicensed drivers
• 745 unregistered vehicles
• 3413 speeding offences
• 434 mobile phone offences
• 533 disobey signs/signals
• 121 vehicle impounds
Operation Arid ran from 12.01am on Friday 6 March to 11.59pm on Monday 9 March 2020.
