Police target holiday toll

DRIVERS in the Yarra Ranges are warned to stay safe on the roads this weekend, with a new police operation targeting lawbreakers starting tomorrow.
Operation Arid will run over the Labour Day long weekend, from Friday 7 March to Monday 10 March, addressing a higher rate of road trauma during the long weekend.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said that, over the last five years, the Labour Day weekend came with a higher rate of road trauma as compared to other weekends in the surrounding months.
The four-day operation will be taking place in numerous Police Service Areas (PSAs) across the state, including the Yarra Ranges, with VicRoads using their forces to help enforce the law.
VicRoads Transport Safety Services units will patrol along with police on arterial roads, and every police vehicle will be acting as a mobile booze bus – meaning drivers can be breath-tested and drug-tested at any time.
Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill said that many of the collisions during long weekends involve motorcyclists or trail bike riders travelling on unsealed roads, and he urged drivers to take caution.
Mr Hill also said that alcohol and drugs were common factors in fatal accidents.
“This long weekend we want every road user to seriously consider their actions,” he said.
“It is time to learn from the lessons of previous years and take some common sense measures to avoid tragedy.
“If you’ve had a few drinks, don’t get behind the wheel, if you want to get to your destination on time, leave earlier instead of speeding.”
Mr Hill said that drivers who flouted the law could expect to be caught and punished.
“If you do the wrong thing, we will catch you and you will be dealt with accordingly”
“Please, stay safe and act responsibly. Take the time to plan any driving activities and do not place yourselves, your loved ones or other road users at risk of being injured or killed.”
Across the state, there have been 13 fatal accidents during the Labour Day weekend in the last five years.
The road toll currently sits at 48 – up nine deaths from the same time in 2013.