Easter long weekend police operation nabs more than 200 offenders

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By Derek Schlennstedt

Four unlicensed drivers and four disqualified drivers were caught by Victoria Police over the Easter weekend on Yarra Ranges roads.

Over the five-day Operation Nexus period, police detected 231 offences – the majority of these were speeding offences, with 126 drivers being nabbed in the municipality.

Other common offences included thirteen accounts of drink/drug driving.

Sixteen drivers were caught driving with mobile phones, and two vehicles were impounded over the Easter period.

Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol Sergeant, Dave McIlfatrick said the results were disappointing.

“It’s disappointing to see that people are still taking risks on the road particularly around the long weekend, when they really should be more patient,” he said.

“It’s everyone’s responsibility to drive safely and keep the road toll down.”

Sgt McIlfatrick said it was particularly concerning to see people were still driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“It’s very concerning to see so many people detected drink and drug driving in the Yarra Ranges, and we’ll be running some operations in the near future to target these people.”

Operation Nexus ran from 12.01am on Thursday 18 April until 11.59pm Monday 22 April, 2019.

Around the state, three people were killed in collisions during the five-day operation.