Victoria Police detected more than 19,000 traffic offences during an 18-day road safety operation over the Christmas and New Year period.
Operation Roadwise, which ran from 12.01am on Friday 15 December 2023 to 11.59pm on Monday 1 January 2024, saw police highly visible on major arterial roads and highways across Victoria in an effort to reduce road trauma.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said while the majority of road users acted responsibly over the Christmas and New Year period, the fact they detected over 19,000 offences in 18 days remains totally unacceptable.
“We’ve seen people making deliberate and conscious decisions that significantly increases the likelihood of road trauma, putting themselves and other road users at risk,” he said.
There was a major focus on impaired driving, with police conducting 310,146 preliminary breath tests and 8,944 roadside drug tests during the operation.
Police detected 668 drink driving offences – a strike rate of one in every 464 drivers caught over the limit, while a further 535 drug driving offences were detected.
“Despite our warnings of a significant focus on alcohol and drug testing over the period, this did not appear to deter some motorists, with more than 1,000 caught for drink or drug driving offences – this remains a major concern to us,” said Ass Commr Weir.
“We will continue to have a major focus on impaired drivers in 2024, so expect to be tested and face the consequences when you’re caught – we make no apologies for this.”
More than a third of offences detected related to speeding, with 5,854 motorists caught speeding between 10km/h and 25km/h over the speed limit – resulting in a $385 fine and three demerit points.
“Speeding more than 10km/h over the limit is completely avoidable, and yet we continue to detect so many drivers for this offence,” Ass Commr Weir.
“You might be in a hurry to reach your destination, but the reality is, you’d rather arrive five or ten minutes later than not at all. It’s simply not worth the risk.”
Over 900 motorists were caught using a mobile phone or device while driving, which attracts a $577 and four demerit points.
There were also 374 seatbelt offences detected, which is also a $385 fine and three demerit points.
The total 19,386 traffic offences detected during Operation Roadwise includes:
• 7,631 speeding offences (5,854 for between 10km/h and 25km/h over speed limit)
• 704 unlicensed drivers
• 644 disqualified/suspended drivers
• 921 mobile phone offences
• 828 disobey signs/signals
• 374 seatbelt offences
• 668 drink driving offences from 310,146 preliminary breath tests
• 535 drug driving offences from 8,944 roadside drug tests
• 438 vehicle impoundments
• 1,728 unregistered vehicles
There were 16 lives lost on Victorian roads between 15 December 2023 and 1 January 2024, with a total of 296 lives lost in 2023, the highest number of annual fatalities in 15 years since 2008.
With many Victorians expected to take extended holidays over the January period, police are warning motorists not to be complacent on the roads in the New Year.
Police will continue to have a major presence across Victoria’s road network, with a particular focus on busy holiday hotspots around the coast and throughout regional Victoria.
Motorists are being warned to be patient and allow extra travel time, as well as maintaining a safe braking distance and being cautious when overtaking, particularly around vehicles towing caravans and heavy vehicles.
Police will also continue to conduct random alcohol and drug testing operations throughout January.
Ass Commr Weir said they’ll be doing all we can to ensure that we don’t have another year on the roads like we had in 2023.
“As we enter a new year, we’re appealing to motorists to reflect on their habits behind the wheel, take responsibility for their actions and prioritise their safety, as well as the safety of their passengers and all other road users.”
