POLICE say they are pleased with the behaviour of drivers over the festive break, despite isolated incidents of excessive speed.
Swan Hill police Acting Inspector Brad Bennett said there were a number of people caught driving a high speeds.
“Generally speaking the consensus was people were behaved to be honest,” he said.
“They’re not treating highways like drag strips, it’s just you get the odd car on its own because the roads are quiet they have the opportunity to go a bit faster.
“A lack of traffic so they feel a bit freer.”
A Melbourne driver was detected at 180km/h on the Murray Valley Highway at Lake Charm on December 26 about 3pm, with three passengers.
He was charged to appear at Kerang Magistrates’ Court, and his vehicle was impounded.
Meanwhile, a Swan Hill man was allegedly caught driving while suspended twice in less than a week, with three of his vehicles impounded.
The man, with a suspended licence, was caught travelling at 147km/h on the Murray Valley Highway, north of Lake Charm, on December 23.
His car was impounded, which will cost him $1005 to get back, and would receive a summons to appear in court at a later date.
On Christmas Day, he was allegedly intercepted on Beveridge Street, Swan Hill, again driving whilst suspended. His 2004 Ford Laser was impounded.
Three days later, he was again intercepted by driving a go-cart along Whittaker Street, Swan Hill.
Police also detected two drink drivers within a few hours on New Year’s Eve.
A 48-year-old man received a penalty notice after a reading of 0.087 and a 28-year-old man will attend court after a reading of 0.063 and his second offence.
Across Operation Roadwise, local police detected two drink drivers, two drug drivers, four disqualified drivers, 66 speeding offences and four impoundments.
Surprisingly, there were no unlicensed drivers, seatbelt offences or mobile phone offences recorded during the 10-day police road operation.
Operation Roadwise saw Victoria Police target impaired drivers during the high-risk Christmas period on Victorian roads, with 129,914 alcohol and drug tests conducted across the state.
Police were alarmed at the number of motorists caught taking risks and drink driving – with one in every 270 detected over the legal limit.
A total 9932 traffic offences were detected during Operation Roadwise.
Assistant Commissioner Road Policing Glenn Weir said there was still an unacceptable level of motorists who demonstrated a “blatant disregard towards road safety, particularly those who make the choice to drive after consuming alcohol or drugs”.
