By Luke Voogt
Highway Patrol officers will target drug and drink drivers in and around Geelong over the Easter long weekend, the region’s top cop has warned.
“Expect us to pop up anywhere,” Superintendent Craig Gillard said.
“We’ve had a couple of fatal and serious-injury accidents in the region recently, so we’re trying to have a higher visibility.”
Supt Gillard said he had rostered extra units for the weekend to target “areas of high visitation”, like the Surf Coast.
“Drug driving is something we’ve been finding more unfortunately.”
Supt Gillard said police would target major and arterial roads as part of the state-wide Operation Nexus and urged drivers to plan ahead.
“We appeal to people to use common sense, be patient and courteous and – number one – don’t take any risks. Let’s not have it end in tragedy.”
Meanwhile, TAC and SES launched their Driver Reviver campaign this week.
SES will run 45 roadside Driver Revivers across Victoria between today (Thursday) and Monday 17 April, offering hot drinks and snacks to encourage drivers to stop and refresh.
According to TAC statistics, drowsy driving is a factor in one in 10 road deaths.
Easter is a particularly dangerous time with thousands of Victorians driving to destinations around the state, often travelling long distances, a TAC spokesperson said.
TAC will also run “Pit Stops” at six of Victoria’s busiest rest stops, with free barista coffees, sausage sizzles, prizes and family activities.
Over the past five years, 16 people have died on the state’s roads over the Easter period and 450 have been seriously injured.
Victorian Road Safety Minister Luke Donnellan urged motorists to plan ahead.
“There are choices we can all make every time we use the roads, like slowing down, ensuring you’ve had enough sleep and avoiding distractions,” he said.
“These choices can be the difference between life and death.”
