Victoria Police will begin a three-day statewide road blitz, Operation Tribute, on Friday, April 24, to coincide with Anzac Day on Saturday.
Even though it’s not a long weekend, people often travel for events and police report there is an increased risk of impaired driving on Anzac Day.
“Anzac Day is a high-risk period on our roads, so we ask people to take care and look out for one another, particularly around the dawn services and commemorative events taking place,” Road Policing Acting Assistant Commissioner Justin Goldsmith said.
It comes as 19 lives have been lost in the first 23 days of April on Victorian roads.
Eight fatalities were on weekends, including three last Saturday, April 18, and four the previous Sunday, April 12.
“Despite a significant uplift in road policing enforcement this month, we’ve still experienced a devastating amount of trauma on our roads during April,” Acting Asst Commissioner Goldsmith said.
Those travelling this weekend are being urged to stick to the speed limit, with more than 4000 fines issued during Easter and AFL Gather Round this month to motorists exceeding the speed limit.
Police conducted a combined 150,000 preliminary breath tests and 3922 roadside drug tests during Operation Nexus and Operation Constellate this month, with 329 drink drivers and 204 drug drivers detected.
Drivers are urged to stay alert, with complacency often the cause of excessive or inappropriate speed, unsafe overtaking, failing to stop or give way, fatigue and distraction.
Operation Tribute begins at 12.01am Friday, April 24, and concludes at 11.59pm on Sunday, April 26.
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