MORE than half of traffic offences recorded in the Gannawarra and Swan Hill regions during the Easter long weekend were for speeding.
Police detected almost 8000 traffic offences statewide during the five-day Operation Nexus, with police actively enforcing in an effort to reduce road trauma.
It followed a shocking start to the year on Victoria’s roads with 89 lives lost, up 25 per cent on the five-year average.
There were two lives lost on Victorian roads over the Easter period, with single-vehicle fatal collisions in White Hills on Friday and Wangaratta on Sunday.
There were 102 offences recorded on roads in the Swan Hill police service area, which encompasses the Buloke, Gannawarra and Swan Hill municipalities.
The majority of traffic offences involved speeding (68 offences) and unregistered vehicles (20).
There were two drink drivers, four drug drivers, two disqualified drivers and two unlicensed drivers caught.
No mobile phone offences were detected, but statewide mobile phone offences jumped 31 per cent from last year’s Easter road policing operation with 343 motorists caught using their phones while driving.
Assistant Commissioner for road policing Glenn Weir said he was disappointed that 8000 motorists were detected for a range of traffic
offences.
“This just shows a blatant disregard for road rules and for the safety of all road users,” he said.
“Considering the start to the year we’ve had, we would hope that more people would heed the warnings and make a conscious effort to drive safely, particularly at Easter.
“Time and time again, it is those behaviours such as speed, impaired driving and distraction primarily caused by mobile phone use that are contributing to road trauma, yet we continue to detect thousands of motorists for these offences.
“Everyone thinks road trauma won’t happen to them, until it’s too late.
“Don’t let your complacency be the reason for another death or serious injury on our roads.
“With Easter now behind us, we’ll turn our attention to the remaining April school holiday period and the upcoming Anzac Day public holiday – you will certainly see police enforcement efforts continuing throughout the month.”
