Elsie Lange
Victoria Police detected more than 7000 offences over the AFL Grand Final long weekend as part of a statewide operation targeting high-risk driving behaviour.
Over five days, road policing Operation Scoreboard had officers focused on speeding, impaired driving and distraction.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said it had been a “busy weekend” across the state, with many of the penalties and infringements preventable had drivers slowed down, paid attention and obeyed speed limits.
“Almost 500 drivers were detected for driving whilst unlicensed, disqualified or suspended, meaning they shouldn’t even be behind the wheel,” he said.
“This blatant disregard for the rules will not be tolerated, and police will continue to utilise ANPR technology to detect and remove unauthorised drivers from the roads.”
Across Hume and Whittlesea, police recorded 39 and 28 driving offences respectively during the operation.
Fifteen drivers were caught speeding in Whittlesea, as well as one drunk driver, one drug driver, two unlicensed drivers, three drivers disobeying signals or signs and four unregistered vehicles. Two vehicles were impounded.
In Hume nine drivers were caught speeding, alongside five disqualified drivers, two unlicensed drivers, 23 drivers disobeying signals or signs, three mobile phone offences and five unregistered vehicles. Three vehicles were impounded.
Across the state, the operation recorded 2881 speeding offences, 494 unlicensed, disqualified or suspended drivers, 224 drink driving offences from 119, 953 breath tests and 212 drug driving offences from 3615 roadside drug tests.
Hume recorded zero drunk or drug drivers.
Assistant Commissioner Weir said it was “not the time to be complacent”.
“We’re experiencing high levels of road trauma not seen since well before the pandemic,” he said.
“Police will continue to be on high alert for motorists engaging in risk-taking behaviour that puts other road users in danger.”
Operation Scoreboard ran from Wednesday, September 21 to Sunday, September 25.
