Police & Court

Police will be out in force this long weekend

By Monique Preston

Oct 27, 2021

Taking aim: Constable Joel Vallance will be one of the Shepparton police officers out to catch drivers who are doing the wrong thing as part of Operation Compass. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

High volumes of traffic are expected throughout Victoria over the long weekend and police will be out in force to catch drivers who are doing the wrong thing.

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Statewide police operation Operation Compass will start at 12.01am on Friday and run until 11.59pm on Tuesday to cover the Melbourne Cup period.

A second phase of the operation will be held the following weekend, between 12.01am Friday, November 5, and 11.59pm Sunday, November 7, as police expect many people will take more time off.

Police are expecting an influx of travel to regional areas, including Greater Shepparton, for the first long weekend since lockdown restrictions lifted in Melbourne.

They are warning drivers increased traffic volumes combined with long hours behind the wheel and a deterioration in driving skills could be a recipe for disaster.

Motorists are urged to slow down and take extra care, with roads to be at their busiest in months.

Eleven lives were lost on Victorian roads last year when lockdown lifted, and police are determined to avoid a repeat.

There have already been 190 lives lost on Victorian roads in 2021, which is well above the same time last year (178).

Following the recent easing of restrictions in regional Victoria there were at least four fatal collisions in five days and several injury collisions where drink driving was suspected.

Police are urging Victorians enjoying end-of-lockdown celebrations to think twice before drinking and getting behind the wheel.

Shepparton Highway Patrol Sergeant Janne Kennedy said police would be targeting speed, distraction, fatigue, drink and drug driving and the wearing of seatbelts, during the operation.

She said as many police as possible would be patrolling the region’s roads to ensure they were safe.

Sgt Kennedy also warned people who had not driven long distances for months because of lockdowns to be extra careful.

“People who might be experienced drivers haven’t driven for a while. And many haven’t driven long distances,” she said.

“People’s skills on the road have deteriorated.”

While pleased the state was now out of lockdown, Sgt Kennedy said police did not want it to result in road trauma.

“Be patient and be careful, as many roads and highways will be busier than we have seen for many months as people hit the road,” she said.

“Please get to your destination safely.

“We want people to enjoy life after lockdown. Just do it safely.”