POLICE BRIEFS

By Georgia Rossiter

Feb 1, 2022

School zone ahead: Police are reminding motorists that with the return of school comes the return of school zone speed limits. Photo by Jamie Salter

Holiday driving offences detected

Police detected 55 driving offences in the Shepparton, Benalla and Mitchell police service areas across the Australia Day holiday period last week.

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Just over 83 per cent of those were speeding offences.

Operation Amity ran statewide from 12.01am on Tuesday, January 25, to 11.59pm on Wednesday, January 26.

Victoria Police detected more than 2800 driving offences across the two-day road safety blitz.

“Disappointingly, we continue to detect a significant number of motorists flouting the road rules and putting others’ lives at risk, with almost 3000 offences detected in just two days,” Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said.

Benalla and Mitchell police service areas experienced a higher rate of incidents, with 23 and 22 offences detected respectively.

In Shepparton, police detected 10 driving offences.

Asst Comm Weir said many Victorians headed to regional areas during the public holiday.

“It’s been a busy end to the peak holiday season with Victorians embracing the warm weather this week and heading to coastal locations, lakes and rivers,” he said.

Across the state, more than 160 drivers were found with drugs or alcohol in their system from more than 28,000 tests.

Asst Comm Weir said more police would be on the road this year.

“Police patrols have increased on Victorian roads since the end of lockdowns,” he said.

“Motorists should expect to see more police, more often this year ... now is not the time to be complacent behind the wheel.”

Watch for school zones

As the school year begins, police are asking motorists to be aware of school zones in their area.

Students started returning to school on Monday, January 31, and Shepparton police Senior Sergeant David Gillespie said drivers needed to remember the 40km/h speed limit was back between 8am and 9.30am, and 2.30pm to 4pm.

Sen Sgt Gillespie said motorists should drive to the conditions.

“Pay attention to everyone in the area,” he said.

“There are also a lot of schools in regional areas where the speed limit changes from 100km/h to 40km/h.

“School zones aren’t just in built-up areas.”

In particular, Sen Sgt Gillespie asked drivers to look out for Preps who were unfamiliar with roads.

“These little kids are going to be excited about getting to the classroom,” he said.

“People have got to be mindful that Preps might be unfamiliar with crossing the road.”

Anyone who witnesses dangerous behaviour on the road — particularly within school zones — should phone Seymour police station on 5735 0200 or dial 000 if it is an emergency.