Police across the state are reminding motorists to keep an eye out for one another and to plan ahead before setting off on road trips due to the concerning fire weather conditions forecast for the coming days.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy said motorists can expect to see an increase in highway patrol officers in and around fire areas of concern.
“During some fire situations there may be a need to restrict and or regulate the flow of traffic in and around an area where a fire is presently occurring,” AC Murphy said.
“Motorists may also see police where a fire has been contained or controlled or where damage by fire has made the use of roads or infrastructure dangerous or unsafe.
“I’d like to remind drivers that the increase in police presence and traffic management points are put in place to not only ensure public and emergency service staff safety but to assist in ensuring emergency service personnel have priority access to combat or respond to a fire.
“Our highway patrol officers as well as local police state-wide will be working hard to ensure traffic flows smoothly around holiday hot spots but in particular in the coming days around East Gippsland.
“Please be patient, make sure you overtake only when it is safe to do so and don’t take risks. I know it’s hot but that isn’t an excuse to not buckle-up. Seatbelts are a basic non-negotiable, don’t be caught out.
“Day and night, weekdays and weekends, we’ll be focused on all the factors that contribute to the loss of life and serious injuries we see on the roads; please play your part and drive to survive.”
As part of Operation Roadwise, a state-wide focus on keeping our community safe on the roads during the Christmas and New Year period, motorists can expect to be breath tested, drug tested and have their vehicles scanned and speed-checked by police.
“Police state-wide want to ensure everyone returns home to their loved ones safely as the year comes to an end and as the New Year is to be celebrated,” AC Murphy said.
Operation Roadwise involves all available personnel including local road policing units, general duties, other operational policing units and centralised resources from Road Policing Command.
The operation runs from 12.01am Friday 13 December to 11.59pm Sunday 5 January.
