CARNIVAL CRACKDOWN
Police target drink drivers over long weekend
POLICE will be out in force over the Melbourne Cup long weekend as thousands of visitors make their way to the coast.
Geelong Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Gary Wilson said highway patrol police would be working with other units to cut trauma on the road.
“Historically this is one of our highest trauma periods,” Sen-Sgt Wilson said.
“We will have a lot of units out conducting random breath tests.
“We will have a focus on road safety across the division.”
Geelong will host a number of events over the weekend, including the long-running Toast to the Coast wine festival.
Sen-Sgt Wilson urged drivers not to drink and drive and to ensure they had suitable alternative transportation to make their way home.
“Our preference is for people to avoid drink driving. We urge people to have a designated driver or use a ride share service,” he said.
The state’s head of Road Police Operations, Superintendent John Fitzpatrick, said the Victoria-wide Operation Furlong would result in a highly visible police presence, with officers focusing on drink and drug driving, speed, distraction, fatigue and seatbelt use.
“Anyone who thinks they can leave their car at a station, catch a train back from the races after drinking, then drive the rest of the way home with no chance of being caught should think again,” Supt Fitzpatrick said.
“Last year, we conducted more than 230,000 preliminary breath tests and more than 2470 roadside drug tests, so the odds of getting tested are high.”
Police are encouraging those who might be driving long distances to get away for a few days or attend events associated with the Spring Racing Carnival to take extra care.
“Our message to everyone is to slow down, turn your phone off, wear seatbelts, take regular breaks on long journeys to avoid fatigue and don’t drive after drinking or using drugs,” Supt Fitzpatrick said.
“With traffic volumes being much higher than normal, it’s also important that pedestrians take extra care when crossing the road and for drivers to keep an eye out for the higher than normal number of pedestrians.”
More than 9000 offences were detected on Victoria’s roads during last year’s Melbourne Cup long weekend, including more than 530 drink and drug-driving offences.
More than 3000 drivers were caught speeding, 462 mobile phone offences were detected and 333 people were caught not wearing seatbelts.