SWAN Hill police will target dangerous drivers during a five-day blitz over the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The state-wide Operation Furlong, which began on Friday, will run across Victoria’s major highways and roads, metropolitan and regional transport hubs and popular holiday destination routes.
Swan Hill highway patrol unit issued five speeding infringements across the region on Friday morning, with drivers caught travelling 10-20km/h over the speed limit.
Although Monday isn’t a public holiday, a large percentage of Victorians are expected to take the opportunity for a four-day long-weekend ahead of Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup holiday.
Swan Hill highway patrol unit Sergeant Les McPhee said officers will focus on the key contributors to fatalities and serious injury crashes including speed, drink and drug driving, fatigue, seat belt compliance, mobile-phone use and other reckless behaviours.
Sgt McPhee said all resources would be put on the roads to apprehend dangerous drivers in a desperate effort to curb the rising road toll, which currently stands at 239, 26 more than the same period last year.
“We need motorists to be safe on the roads as we lead up to the end of the year and festive season,” Sgt McPhee told The Guardian.
“It will be a busy weekend with the Wycheproof Cup and Festival of Motorsport in Swan Hill…we will be hitting roads where traffic will be the heaviest.”
Police will be scanning number plates, breath-testing, drug-testing and speed-checking drivers to protect motorists and members of the public after the race.
Police are also encouraging drivers who are travelling out of the city to take regular breaks during their journey.
Between 2010 and 2015, during the Melbourne Cup period, 27 people were killed on Victorian roads.
Last year, Operation Furlong detected 8543 traffic offences and 1023 criminal offences.
“There is no excuse for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs – if you do so, you’ll be caught,” Police Minister Lisa Neville said.
“We have had a shocking year on our roads with 239 lives lost – and that’s why we stand with Victoria Police to ensure we keep the roads safe.”
Northern Victoria still open for business, says Murray River Region
TOURISTS have been urged to visit northern Victoria, despite recent rainfall and flooding in the region.
Murray Regional Tourism chief executive Mark Francis said the region was still open for business, and although many park areas are currently inaccessible, there are plenty of other accommodation and camping options in the region.
“This is a great time to see the River Red Gum environment thriving with the extra water. Birds are breeding, water levels are high and everything is green. As long as visitors follow all road signs and closures they can safely enjoy seeing the area flourishing,” Parks Victoria regional director northern Victoria Craig Stubbings said.
Mr Stubbings said 12 parks along the Murray and Goulburn rivers are either closed or have restricted public access, including Gunbower National Park.
“We ask that motorists take additional care when driving in the region. Some wildlife has been displaced by high water levels, including kangaroos, emus and snakes. Animals may move onto roads to escape the water so slow down to avoid hitting them,” he said.
