Almost one in four drivers intercepted by police during a two-day traffic blitz were caught speeding.
The operation – targeting speeding and distracted drivers in Melbourne’s north – saw police intercept around 200 vehicles from Northcote to Warrandyte.
Almost 50 of those intercepted were found to be speeding. Three drivers were caught more than 30km over the limit.
Highway Patrol and general duties police breath tested almost every driver pulled over in a bid to curb the road toll ahead of the long weekend.
It resulted in six drivers losing their licence due to alcohol or drugs.
Intelligence shows serious injury collisions in the Darebin PSA have increased by 18.4 per cent in the last year, with a large proportion attributed to speed and distraction.
Police on motorbikes patrolled high traffic thoroughfares including Bell and High streets with distracted drivers in sight.
They found 34 drivers on their mobile phones.
During highly visible patrols police observed a 52-year-old man attempt to drive through a level crossing while the warning lights were flashing.
He was issued with a $962 infringement notice and lost four demerit points for failing to stop at a level crossing.
Officers also honed in on major arterial roads including the Metropolitan Ring Road, Hume Freeway and Greensborough Highway.
Plenty, Diamond Creek and St Georges roads were also a focus – with more than 26,000 vehicles scanned using Automatic Numberplate Recognition Technology throughout the two days.
Operation Broom ran in the northern suburbs between 20 and 21 September.
The community can expect to see extra police on the roads in coming weeks with further road safety operations planned.
Quotes attributable to Greensborough Highway Patrol Sergeant John Henderson:
“There is never a reason to speed and rushing to get to your destination is never worth risking a life.
“We all know the difference wiping off even a few kilometres can make.
“With school holidays in full swing and a long weekend nearing, I’m urging drivers to reassess their mobile phone use.
“The last thing you want to do is to cause a life-altering collision because of a text message.”
