Police targeted high-risk driving behaviour across Victoria’s roads, in an effort to reduce road trauma.
Patrol hours were upped by 19 per cent compared to the same period last year, resulting in a 23 per cent increase in the number of issued infringements this year.
Almost half of the offences were for speeding, with more than 3,500 speeding infringements issued, 75 per cent of which were to motorists caught between 10km/h and 25km/h over the speed limit.
One in every 464 drivers tested for alcohol were caught over the limit, with police detecting 316 drink driving offences from 146,698 preliminary breath tests.
A further 178 drivers returned a positive roadside drug test from 3,505 roadside drug tests performed.
There were also 578 unlicensed, disqualified or suspended drivers caught driving.
“Despite our repeated warnings that we would be out in force, disappointingly we have detected thousands of infringements for breaching the road rules over Easter,” Road Policing Acting Assistant Commissioner Justin Goldsmith said.
“The majority of these drivers acknowledge they’ve done the wrong thing, but have chosen to take a risk anyway – whether that’s speeding a few kilometres over the speed limit, or getting behind the wheel after a few drinks.”
The 7,567 offences detected during Operation Nexus included:
- 3,571 speeding offences
- 548 disqualified/suspended and unlicenced drivers
- 421 disobey signs/signals
- 316 drink driving offences from 146,698 preliminary breath tests
- 265 mobile phone offences
- 178 drug driving offences from 3,505 roadside drug tests
- 136 vehicle impounds
- 110 seat belt offences; and
- 649 unregistered vehicles
There were three fatalities on Victorian roads during Operation Nexus’ five days, including a male pedestrian struck by a vehicle on the Eastern Fwy in Kew East on Saturday morning, and a single-vehicle collision in Nulla Vale and a male motorcyclist in Portland, both on Monday evening.
The fatalities bring the total lives lost on Victorian roads this year to 66, compared to 81 at the same time last year.
Operation Nexus ran from 12:01am on Thursday, April 2 and wound up at 11:59pm on Monday, April 6.
Police remind motorists another major road policing operation will be launched this week.
“All traffic penalties are completely avoidable if motorists stick to the rules,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Justin Goldsmith said.
“With school holidays underway in Victoria, motorists will see police remaining highly visible and enforcing on the state’s roads over the coming weeks, and should expect to be tested anywhere, anytime.”
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