Operations continue to target road safety

Ongoing traffic operations by Baw Baw Highway Patrol appear to be sending a message to drivers that local police will not tolerate traffic and road offences, according to sergeant Andrew Milbourne.

Mr Milbourne said the results of a targeted operation over last weekend’s long weekend were “encouraging.”

He said operations would be ongoing as police continued to strive for a zero road toll.

More than 1600 preliminary blood tests of drivers over the recent long weekend saw only one driver exceeding 0.05. One driver also returned a positive drug test. The special operation during the AFL grand final long weekend involved highway patrol and uniform police targeting rural and main roads.

Highway patrol members conducted 693 preliminary breath tests with only one exceeding 0.05. Uniform police also conducted 931 tests.

Of the two preliminary oral fluid tests, only one drug affected driver was detected.

“These results are encouraging but we still have a long way to go.

“As we are coming into warmer weather when people drink more, go to parties or the races then people need to plan ahead and know how they are going to get home,” he said.

Mr Milbourne said drug testing was conducted randomly by police. He said all highway patrol members were qualified to conduct the drug testing.

He said drivers needed to be aware how long drugs remained in their systems.

“Drugs stay in their system for quite some time so we are getting more positive tests,” he said.

Mr Milbourne said 49 drivers were issued with penalty notices for other offences including mobile phone use, failure to wear seat belts and unlicensed driving.

In another central business district operation on Wednesday, 26 drivers were intercepted and issued with penalty notices.

Mr Milbourne said highway patrol members were located at roundabouts in the CBD, Victoria St and later Queen St (east) where they intercepted drivers for traffic offences.

He said police would continue to be “out and about” in the CBD to have a presence.

He said of the 26 penalty notices issued, the majority were for use of mobile phones and not wearing seat belts.

One driver was intercepted for smoking in a vehicle with children under 18-years-old.

Other offences included vehicle roadworthy matters.

Mr Milbourne said use of mobile phones whilst driving continued to be a major concern.

“It’s all about spatial awareness and if they are on the phone then they aren’t concentrating,” he said.

Mr Milbourne said the focus of operations over the next two weekends would be on motorcyclists travelling into Gippsland for major events.

He said Operation Motorsafe would target registration and licence checks of motorcyclists and encouraging them to wear appropriate safety gear.