Provisional Victoria Police data shows speed has played a part in 31 deaths already this year, compared to 23 at the same time last year.
Speeding is the most common form of non-compliance among motorists, so today police will be reaching for their laser guns to target roadways across the state, as National Road Safety Week ramps up.
The annual initiative includes daily themes to highlight the impacts of road trauma and the importance of safe driving habits.
Motorists can expect to see Highway Patrol units, Public Order Response Team officers and general duties police saturating freeways, highways and roads.
Not only will police use handheld speed measurement guns to detect and deter speeding motorists, they will also check passing cars using automatic radar technology to measure their speed.
“If a police car passes you on a highway today, your speed will likely be checked,” Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said.
“This highly visible presence is not only about detecting speedsters but also deterring others from making the same mistake.”
With reduced visibility and inclement weather over the coming months, police are urging road users to slow down.
The crash risk is reduced by 15 per cent by wiping off just 5km/h.
Police will continue to enforce speed beyond today, with a number of operations planned during high-risk periods on top of their ‘anywhere, anytime’ deterrent approach.
National Road Safety Week was created by Peter Frazer of the Safer Australian Roads and Highways group after his 23-year-old daughter, and another man, were killed in a car crash in February 2012.
“Every year we see the devastating impacts of speeding,” Asst Commissioner Weir said.
“From those whose lives are lost to their family members, partners, friends, work colleagues and emergency services who attend the scene — it ends up being many thousands of lives impacted by speeding behaviours.
“It’s not worth risking your life to get to a destination faster.”
National Road Safety Week started on Mother’s Day and runs until Sunday, May 18.
Victoria Police encourages all road users to show their support for the initiative, which calls on motorists to “pledge to drive so others survive”.
“National Road Safety Week is a timely reminder that road safety remains everyone’s responsibility,” Asst Commissioner Weir said.
“Today and every day, we ask road users to slow down and travel at the speed limit — it’s that simple.
“Everyone has a role to play in reducing trauma on our roads.”
Each year, about 1200 people are killed and another 40,000 seriously injured on Australia’s roads.
Almost a quarter of all fatal collisions occur in Victoria.
For more information about National Road Safety Week, go to roadsafetyweek.com.au
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