As Victorians across the state enjoyed their long weekend and tried to stay cool, Victoria Police detected 52 traffic offences across Hume and Whittlesea as part of Operation Arid.
The four day, statewide operation saw police targeting high-risk driving behaviour, from 12.01am Friday, March 8 to 11.15pm Monday, March 11, with a particular focus on drink and drug driving.
In Hume , police detected six speeding offences, one mobile phone offence, one disqualified driver, one unlicensed driver, one drink driver, and one disobeying signs/signals offences.
In Whittlesea, police detected 14 speeding offences, seven drink drivers, four impoundments, three unregistered vehicles, four disqualified drivers, three unlicensed drivers, one seatbelt offences, and four disobeying signs/signals offences, and one mobile phone offence.
Across the state 6488 traffic offences were recorded as part of Operation Arid, including five deaths.
Extreme speed and seatbelt usage were also noted as areas of concern by police, with 2843 speeding drivers detected and 117 motorists failing to wear a seat belt or not wearing one properly.
Road Policing Acting Assistant Commissioner John Fitzpatrick said the number of drivers police saw speeding on the long weekend is simply unacceptable.
“To think so many people were driving at extreme speeds is even more worrying,” he said.
“At high speed there’s little room for error and the consequences of a mistake are magnified. To put it bluntly, it’s a recipe for disaster.
“We’re also seeing too many people getting behind the wheel when they shouldn’t- be it for drinking, taking drugs or not having a licence.
“To find so many people driving around without a seatbelt is mindboggling. A seatbelt can’t save you if you’re not wearing it.
“These results should serve as a wake-up call to anyone doing the wrong thing on our roads.”
