By JESSE GRAHAM
YARRA Valley residents heading to the Grand Final this weekend have been warned to slow down, be patient, and keep a designated driver, as Victoria Police begin a four-month road blitz.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Kim Wells announced a four-month road policing operation last week, to coincide with the beginning of the football finals.
He said the blitz would be the biggest in Victoria Police’s history, with a ‘record number’ of operations to be taken during dangerous driving periods.
“These include the AFL finals, the Spring Racing Carnival, the summer months ahead, Christmas and New Year’s Eve,” he said.
Mr Wells said the aim of the operation would be to prevent more deaths on the roads, with the state-wide road toll standing at 13 deaths higher than the same time last year.
Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol Leading Senior Constable Graeme Rust said police would be undertaking a number of specific operations leading up to high-risk days, such as the Melbourne Cup and the Christmas period.
“Yarra Ranges are always tasking and looking at new and innovative ways to reduce the number and severity of collisions out there,” LSC Rust said.
“We’ll be having all available units out on the road to assist.”
With mobile speed cameras, booze and drug buses, marked and unmarked police cars and motorbikes, Mr Wells said there would be every chance that those who flout the laws were caught.
Last year’s road toll was the lowest recorded in the state’s history, but with 178 deaths on the roads during 2014 – compared to 165 at the same time last year – Mr Wells urged people to take caution when driving.
“People need to think about their own kids before they take the wheel after drinking or taking drugs – people need to think about their own kids when they decide to speed,” he said.
“Catch a taxi instead, take five extra minutes in your travel time – the risks are not worth taking.”
Leading up to the Grand Final, and to any festive occasion, Leading Sen Const Rust urged drivers to be wary about how many drinks they’ve consumed before considering driving, and to be patient of other drivers.
