Road toll response

With restrictions easing and two upcoming long weekends, Victoria Police is urging the community to drive safely as the dangers on our roads begin to creep back in.

By Mitchell Clarke

A horrific Narre Warren East collision, near Cardinia Reservoir, which claimed the life of a young man has led to police launching an operation to combat a rising road toll.

Victoria Police will investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision, which occurred at about 4.20pm on Monday 19 October.

Investigators believe a silver Subaru collided with a white Landcruiser at the intersection of Cardinia Creek Road and Wellington Road.

The driver and sole occupant of the Subaru, a 19-year-old Cranbourne man, died at the scene. The sole occupant of the Landcruiser, a 50-year-old Gembrook man, was transported to hospital for observation.

Tragically, two other people were killed less than an hour before in a horror smash at Montrose.

It’s understood a truck collided with a car. The occupants of that car, a male driver and female passenger, both died. The woman was declared deceased at the scene while the man passed away in hospital.

Seven people have died on Victorian roads since 14 October, prompting Victoria Police to launch a road policing operation.

As restrictions ease ahead of two upcoming long weekends, Operation Saturn will aim to prevent further road trauma caused by dangerous driving in both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Road Policing Command assistant commissioner Libby Murphy said it was expected the road toll would increase as more people return to the roads.

“It is devastating to me that in the last week seven people have already fallen victim to this,” A/C Murphy said.

“Operation Saturn comes at a critical time for the Victorian community, with easing of some restrictions coinciding with two long weekends.

“We’re urging everyone to go back to basics. That means buckling up, slowing down, and not driving while impaired.”

A/C Murphy said local police and highway patrol would be undertaking patrols across metropolitan Melbourne to ensure compliance on local roads, as well as the safety of vulnerable road users.

“For those in metro Melbourne, it’s the first time in a while we’ve been able to move further than 5km from home,” she said.

“Be patient, exercise caution and drive slowly to ensure that you keep yourself and other road users safe.

“Expect to see vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists around populated areas like parks and beaches and drive accordingly.

“We have worked so hard to get to this position and now need to protect each other on the road.”

Operation Saturn will run from 12.01am on Thursday 22 October to 11.59pm on Sunday 8 November.