Police have detected over 500 offences throughout July during a major road policing operation targeting motorists heading to Victoria’s alpine areas.
Operation Eastern Snow has seen police highly visible and enforcing, with a particular focus on roads heading to and from snowfields including Mt Buller, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham.
Buses and heavy vehicles have been a major focus during the operation, with police working alongside Safe Transport Victoria to intercept vehicles at designated checkpoints and conducting safety compliance checks.
Almost 20 per cent of offences detected were issued to heavy vehicles, with police citing false and misleading log book entries, overloaded vehicles and failing to secure loads making up the majority of penalties.
Police also detected 247 speeding offences, with the majority of these issued to drivers speeding between 10km/h and 25km/h over the speed limit.
There were two drug driving offences detected from 148 roadside drug tests and pleasingly, no drink driving offences were detected from 1,149 preliminary breath tests.
The total 523 offences detected during Operation Eastern Snow in July included:
• 247 speeding offences;
• 101 heavy vehicle offences;
• 45 unregistered vehicles;
• 45 defect notices;
• 11 disqualified/suspended and unlicenced drivers;
• 8 seatbelt offences;
• 2 drug driving offences from 148 roadside drug tests;
• 2 mobile phone offences
With the operation set to continue throughout August, police are reminding motorists travelling to the snow to slow down, remain alert on unfamiliar roads and allow plenty of extra travel time, especially during busy periods.
Motorists heading to the snow are required to carry snow chains and fit them when instructed by authorities – failure to carry chains may result in a $370 fine, while not fitting them could lead to a $970 penalty.
Police are also asking motorists to check and remove snow from their vehicles before departing the snowfields, to avoid it being dislodged while moving and creating dangerous driving conditions for other road users.
Quotes attributable to Eastern Region Road Policing Inspector, Jarrad Dowswell:
“It’s concerning that we’ve seen such high levels of noncompliance on the roads by motorists travelling to and from the snowfields.
“Some of these roads have been significantly impacted by ice and snow in recent weeks, yet we continue to catch people for speeding and engaging in dangerous behaviours that puts all road users at risk.
“Wheel chains are essential for navigating roads impacted by ice and snow, and can be the difference between remaining safely on the road or losing control and being involved in a serious collision.
“Already this season several vehicles have become stuck requiring vehicle occupants to be rescued, because they were not carrying snow chains and were unequipped to deal with the conditions.
“Operation Eastern Snow will continue throughout August and we’ll continue to have a major presence on roads heading to and from Victorian snowfields.
“It’s been great to receive feedback from locals in these communities that our enforcement efforts have had a positive impact, with majority of vehicles travelling more slowly through towns and adhering to the road rules.”
