The message to motorists this Easter is clear – slow down, put the phone away to avoid distractions while driving and never drink or take drugs before getting behind the wheel.
Minister for Police Anthony Carbines today joined Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing Glenn Weir to launch Operation Nexus – reinforcing the importance of making safe decisions behind the wheel this Easter long weekend.
The operation means there will be a higher police presence across metropolitan and regional Victoria over Easter, with local police officers supported by specialist resources including highway patrol, solo-unit motorcycles and the operations response unit deployed to take dangerous drivers off our roads and save lives.
In just over three months, 86 people have lost their lives on Victorian roads – compared to 65 at the same time in 2022 – leaving too many families and communities mourning the loss of loved ones.
Road safety authorities are particularly concerned with the rise in fatalities on rural roads, accounting for 60 per cent of fatalities this year.
Operation Nexus is a timely reminder to all road users that every Victorian can do their part to stay safe this Easter and drive responsibly on our roads.
Victoria Police will be targeting speed, fatigue, distraction offences and seatbelt non-compliance – and motorists should expect to be tested for alcohol and drugs during this period.
During last year’s Easter statewide road policing operation, two people lost their lives on our roads. Victoria Police detected 7,783 offences, including 2,948 speeding offences, 313 people were caught drink driving and of the 6,615 roadside drug tests performed, 243 people were caught with drugs in their system.
The operation also saw 261 people caught using mobile phones, which is particularly concerning as driver distraction is estimated to be the contributing factor in 11 per cent of road fatalities and the cause of over 400 serious injuries every year.
Operation Nexus will start this Thursday and will continue through to midnight on Easter Monday.
As stated by Minister for Police Anthony Carbines
“Families and friends will be eager to get out this Easter, but it is important that Victorians take their time to drive safely and responsibly on our roads this long weekend – it’s better to arrive late than not at all.”
“The message is clear – if you are doing the wrong thing on our roads this long weekend, you should expect to be caught and held to account.”
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
“With the road toll already at 86 lives lost on our roads, Victorians must do their part and heed the message to drive safely and avoid tragedy this Easter period.”
