STAFF WRITERS
POLICE are warning there will be zero tolerance for drink and drug driving over the AFL Grand Final long weekend.
Operation Scoreboard, which kicks off today (September 26), will see police highly visible on roads across Victoria in an effort to reduce road trauma.
Operation Scoreboard has been running since the AFL Grand Final public holiday was introduced in Victoria in 2015, always coinciding with the long weekend.
Victorians celebrating the AFL Grand Final are being urged to plan ahead and utilise alternative transport, with widespread alcohol and drug testing to be conducted.
Last year, police detected 343 drink and drug driving offences during Operation Scoreboard, with more than 115,000 tests conducted. Of those tested, one in every 529 drivers were caught drink driving during last year’s operation.
Last year in the Latrobe Valley, police detected 40 speeding offences, six unregistered vehicles, five unlicenced drivers, fives mobile phone offences, four seatbelt offences, three disobey signs/signals, two drink drivers, one impoundment, and one cycling offence.
It comes as the number of lives lost on Victorian roads this year has reached 211, on par with the same time last year, as of September 24. Half of this year’s fatal collisions have occurred on regional Victorian roads.
Provisional police analysis of this year’s fatal collisions indicates that impaired driving from either alcohol or drugs has contributed to at least a quarter of fatalities, with speed remaining the highest contributing factor.
Miscalculation of alcohol consumption continues to be one of the most common reasons cited by drivers who are caught over the limit, suggesting that many people are prepared to risk having a few drinks before getting behind the wheel.
Police are reminding motorists that they should expect to be tested anywhere, anytime this weekend, with significant penalties in place for those caught driving while impaired.
“Alcohol and drugs continue to contribute significantly to serious injury and fatal collisions, and yet it’s completely avoidable,” Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, Glenn Weir said.
“The message is clear – alcohol, drugs and driving don’t mix, so if you’re planning to celebrate over the AFL Grand Final weekend, plan ahead and leave the car at home, arrange a designated driver or utilise alternative transport options.
“There will be zero tolerance for drink and drug driving, and police will be out testing anywhere, anytime this long weekend, so why take an unnecessary risk.”
With the long weekend in Victoria also coinciding with the school holidays and an RDO for the industrial sector, police will also be highly visible on major arterials heading to regional areas and holiday hotspots.
Those heading away for the weekend are being urged to stick to the speed limits, take plenty of breaks and avoid distractions when travelling on regional roads.
“Motorists heading to regional areas this long weekend can also expect to see police highly visible,” AC Weir said.
“Slow down, stick to speed limits, manage fatigue by taking plenty of breaks and avoid distractions when travelling on regional roads.”
Operation Scoreboard begun on 12.01am Thursday, September 26 running until 11.59pm on Sunday, September 29.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads this long weekend, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.
