General News
22 December, 2022
Police take “no tolerance” approach to reckless driving, urge community to be safe this Christmas
Operation Roadwise began last Friday, December 16 and continues until Tuesday, December 27. Within the first few days of the operation, police had flagged a number of reckless drivers in the Goldfields Police Service Area, which covers Central...

Police are encouraging residents to enjoy this festive season but not at the expense of others, with law enforcement taking a “no tolerance” approach to reckless and unsafe driving.
Police are currently out in force on local roads as part of Operation Roadwise, Victoria Police’s annual Christmas road safety operation targeting the key factors that cause serious collisions.
The number of lives lost on the state’s roads currently sits at 240, with 134 of these on regional Victorian roads, including one on the Maryborough-Ballarat Road just outside of Talbot in August — the highest in three years.
Central Goldfields Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Andrew Henderson said driving the road toll down and ensuring drivers made it to their destinations safely was a priority for police.
“We’re targeting the five key factors in serious and fatal collisions being speed, alcohol and drugs, distraction, seatbelts and fatigue,” he said.
“Poor driving decisions lead to people being involved in serious and fatal collisions.
“Even minor collisions with injuries can have a huge impact on people at any time of year and the last thing families need is for something like that to happen at Christmas.
“It’s a busy time of year for everyone at the best of times and we want people to be able to enjoy it, not end up in a poor way.”
Operation Roadwise began last Friday, December 16 and continues until Tuesday, December 27.
Within the first few days of the operation, police had flagged a number of reckless drivers in the Goldfields Police Service Area, which covers Central Goldfields, Loddon and Mount Alexander shires.
Police intercepted a female driver failing to display P plates and with a suspended licence on the Calder Highway, Inglewood and a male driver travelling at 93 km/h in a 50 zone in Inglewood last week.
Act Sgt Henderson said it was concerning road users were not getting the message and that more enforcement was required.
“It is concerning that people aren’t getting the message and it tells us that we have to be out there further enforcing those safety messages,” he said.
“There will be no discretion and no tolerance — if you’re prepared to take the risk, be prepared to get caught, it’s as simple as that.
“Road safety is the responsibility of everyone in the community because if there is a serious or fatal collision, if impacts the whole community.”
Act Sgt Henderson emphasised the importance of planning trips if residents are going away over Christmas, and ensuring vehicle safety.
“We want everyone to get to their destination, have a good time and make it home again safely,” he said.
“Plan your trips and allow plenty of time to get to your destination and be aware of other people on the road.
“If you’re travelling through areas that were recently flooded, be vigilant and be aware that road conditions may be poor in those areas.
“It’s important that people who are travelling for Christmas also ensure their vehicles are in a safe state, so check things like your tyres, windscreens and headlights.”
Leading into Christmas, the TAC has relaunched its The Lucky Ones Get Caught campaign, highlighting the reality of dangerous driving and the role police play in preventing road trauma.
The campaign’s television advertisement shows a young family in a car with the driver intermittently speeding and after narrowly avoiding being caught by police, the driver becomes distracted, loses control and the vehicle rolls down an embankment.
Act Sgt Henderson said police were working to ensure a safe Christmas period for all drivers and asked the community to look out for those in uniform in turn.
“Our work can be challenging enough as it is at times and a fair majority of us will be working through those key holiday periods,” he said.
“Ideally we want to go to work and come home knowing people are being safe, as opposed to attending serious collisions and having to take the weight of that home with us.
“If you do have an interaction with us, if you could treat us with respect and courtesy that would be appreciated.”