General News
13 March, 2026
Statewide police operation targets high-risk driving over long weekend
A local man who allegedly blew over six times the legal limit for alcohol is just one of numerous offences discovered by police over the Labour Day long weekend.
A four-day road safety operation across the state, dubbed Operation Arid, targeted high-risk driving behaviour in an effort to improve road safety.
Victoria Police found a “significant number” of motorists did the wrong thing over the long weekend.
Across the state almost half of all offences, at almost 45 percent, were speeding-related.
In the Goldfields PSA, 25 speeding offences were found — almost four times the next most common offence.
Statewide one in every 473 motorists tested for alcohol were over the limit.
Victoria Police detected 250 drink driving offences from 118,427 preliminary breath tests.
Back in the Goldfields PSA drink drivers were the third most common offence with five detected, including one who was allegedly significantly over the limit.
On Saturday, March 7, Maryborough police attended a vacant block following reports of a man sitting in a black ute.
They allege that when they arrived the vehicle drove away a short distance before stopping.
They also claim the driver admitted to consuming alcohol.
Police recorded a breath alcohol concentration for the man that was over six times the legal limit at 0.314.
He will have to attend court due to this at a later date.
Acting Sergeant Tom Horsten said people often don’t realise drink driving can occur anywhere.
“I think that’s a big misconception for a lot of members of the public,” he said.
“Especially around the Maryborough area it’s important people do understand drink driving can occur anywhere.”
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said it was frustrating to see thousands of infringement notices issued over the long weekend.
“It is frustrating because the majority of drivers know they are doing the wrong thing, but choose to run the risk anyway — we need this behaviour to stop,” he said.
“People might complain about receiving a fine, but the reality is that receiving a penalty is completely avoidable if drivers obey the speed limits and road rules.”
Acting Sgt Horsten said that local police’s presence on the roads last weekend made people “think twice” about doing the wrong thing.
“In simple terms when people see the blue and red lights with other vehicles intercepted, it makes them conscious about their own speed,” he said.
“We’re out there enforcing for a reason: so everyone can get home safe over the long weekend.”
Victoria Police reminded the community that March is historically the most dangerous period on Victorian roads.
More than 1,600 injury collisions were recorded in March last year with 23 being fatal.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Weir said police will continue to be out in force throughout the month.
“In such a high-risk month for road trauma historically, we are doing all we can to drive down trauma on our roads,” he said.
Operation Arid ran from 12.01 am on Friday, March 6 until 11.59 pm on Monday, March 9.