Back roads focus nabs speeding drivers

THREE drivers lost their licences during a three-day police crackdown on speeding across rural areas.

Police fear drivers are trying to dodge officers by travelling at high speeds on rural roads.

But police have warned they will continue to be out in force across the road network.

A 19-year-old man is without a licence after he was allegedly detected travelling at 118km/h in a 80km/h zone along Barrabool Road, Ceres.

Inverleigh Leading Senior Constable Chris Reynolds intercepted the Holden station wagon driver at 6.55am on Thursday.

The driver was fined $620 and suspended from driving for six months.

He was also fined $165 for not bearing P-plates.

A 49-year-old woman was suspended from driving for three months and fined $537 after she was allegedly nabbed travelling at 92km/h in a 60km/h zone on Burnside Road, Bannockburn. A 29year-old man was allegedly detected travelling 134km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Geelong Ring Road on Tuesday.

He was also fined $537 and suspended for three months.

Constable Reynolds said he also detected 20 drivers over the period travelling 13–24km/h over the limit. Many received hefty fines. “A lot of drivers who I have been intercepting are making decisions to speed because they are running late or are in a hurry,” Constable Reynolds said.

He said most motorists were not expecting to be caught and believed police would not be patrolling rural routes.

He urged motorists to abide by the speed limit and make safe choices behind the wheel.

“Police will continue to focus on speeding and other traffic offences on rural roads as that is where a lot of road trauma has and is occurring,” Constable Reynolds said.