Police warn drive safely, or pay the cost

Alex de Vos
Authorities are urging drivers headed to the coast this Easter to take care on the road and follow safety messages.
Torquay Police acting sergeant Steve Wrigley said officers had launched an operation to crackdown on drivers breaking the law.
“This time of the year is shocking for road accidents,” Sgt Wrigley said.
“It’s a really short holiday period and so everyone is on the move and in a hurry.”
He said the operation would target speeding and drink driving.
“This year we’re cracking down on traffic issues,” he warned.
“We’ll be running lots of random breath testing sites around the region and also looking out for people not wearing seat belts.”
He said “extra” police would also monitor licensed venues and the annual Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, following a “series of incidents last Easter” related to public drunkenness.
“We don’t want a repeat of that,” Sgt Wrigley said.
“We want people to enjoy themselves but to do it safely and stay within the rules.”
Seg Wrigley said police would also man the Torquay station 24 hours-a-day.
He urged revellers to lock their cars and keep valuables out of sight.
“During this holiday period we get an influx of people visiting our beaches,” Sgt Wrigley said.
“We’re encouraging people to be conscious to avoid theft.”
The police crackdown follows reports in the Independent last month of a 30 per cent increase in overall crime along the Surf Coast and 12 per cent rise in Geelong crime.
The Independent also reported a 1400 per cent increase in detected liquor licensing breaches at venues in Geelong and the Surf Coast.
Police had caught 42 venues beaching their licences last summer compared to three at the same time the previous year.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe said the surge in licensing breaches proved that rogue licensees were responsible for “alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour and violence”.