Clamp down- Casey Highway Patrol will be out in force over the Easter holidays, including Constable Karen Roden, Leading Senior Constable Allen Inderwisch, Senior Constable Travis Cusak and Leading Se

By Lia Bichel
POLICE will be out in force and clamping down on dangerous drivers on Casey roads over Easter holidays.
Operation Crossroads will roll out on 21 April and finish on 26 April targeting drink driving and safety-related offences.
Casey Highway Patrol Leading Senior Constable Allen Inderwisch said there would be increased traffic on local roads during the holidays and encouraged everyone to drive safely.
“We need people to do the right things- if you have a couple of drinks make sure you make proper arrangements to get home, obey the speed limit, and if you are going on long trips and are tired, make sure you take advantage of the driver advisory stops available.”
Making sure vehicles are registered, roadworthy and services should also be a priority before travelling, Leading Sen Const Inderwisch said.
“We don’t want people broken down on the side of the road. It creates hazards for other drivers,” he said.
The fine for driving an unroadworthy vehicle is $299.
Drivers who drink and have a blood alcohol reading of less than.07 can expect to receive a fine of up to $358 and lose their licence for six months.
More serious drink driving offences can result in a loss of licence for up to two years and a $1200 fine.
Unlicensed drivers or drivers of unregistered vehicles may have to cough up $597. Driving while using a mobile phone, speeding more than 10 kilometres an hour to 25 kilometres an hour over the limit or not wearing a seatbelt will result in a $239 fine and loss of three demerit points.
Leading Sen Const Inderwisch said many people did not realise that under new legislation, drivers could cop a $239 fine for having a passenger, any age, not wearing a seatbelt.
“People need to be aware that we will have zero tolerance over the Easter period,” he said.
“A big issue we have at this time is speed. Everyone is in a hurry to get to their holiday destination. But this creates problems. Our number one priority is to make sure everyone gets to the places they need to go and back home again.”