By Luke Voogt
A haul of 1404 drivers breaking the law on local roads has alarmed police, according to Geelong Inspector Graham Banks.
Hundreds were involved in dangerous driving, including 50 over the alcohol limit or on drugs and almost 800 speeding.
The figures from three-week Operation Roadwise in Geelong and the Surf Coast were “significantly up” on last year, Insp Banks said.
“It’s a concern given we had a significant increase in road deaths last year, not just in Geelong but throughout Victoria.”
The operation ended last week was “successful but unsuccessful”, Insp Banks said.
He was sick of drivers putting themselves and others in danger.
“Clearly some messages haven’t been getting through to people.”
Insp Banks was particularly angry at drivers who had “committed an offence before getting behind the wheel”.
Over 300 were caught drink-driving, on drugs, unlicensed or in unregistered vehicles, he said.
“They’re obviously some of the more serious offences.
“Their (the drivers’) capacity to drive a motor vehicle is severely impaired. Often they’ve committed another offence, which is what has brought them to our attention.”
Insp Banks said police would be out in force for the rest of summer in an effort to reduce road trauma.
“We will continue to run operations … in areas where we know people are committing these offences.”
TAC senior road safety manager Samantha Cockfield said the results were disappointing, although the “vast majority do the right thing”.
“If you do drink drive, speed, drive under the influence of drugs or talk on your mobile phone while driving, getting caught is the best thing to happen to you because the alternative could be devastating.”
The local road toll increased when a man died after his car struck a tree in Anakie early Wednesday morning.
Police believed that the north-bound car left Bacchus Marsh Road shortly before 4am.
Investigating officers urged anyone who witnessed the crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Numbers of shame
Geelong: 31 drink-drivers; eight on drugs; 82 disqualified or unlicensed; 421 speeding; 23 seatbelt offences; 20 mobile phone offences; 101 unregistered vehicles; three impoundments; total infringements, 850.
Surf Coast:10 drink-drivers; nine on drugs; 22 disqualified or unlicensed; 363 speeding; 10 seatbelt offences; three mobile phone offences; 41 unregistered vehicles; two impoundments; total infringement 554.
