“We are targeting identified areas of high risk and traffic volume, for issues such as drink and drug driving, speed detection and vehicle intercepts.
“Our aim is to create a lasting deterrent effect on crime and road trauma.”
Operation Nexus, from Thursday to Monday, had every available resource, from general-duty to highway patrol and specialist road policing units, deployed during the five-day statewide blitz.
It targeted speed, impaired driving, fatigue and seatbelt compliance.
Horsham Senior Sergeant Matt Haughton said he was pleased there were no fatal or serious injury collisions in the Horsham Police Service Area.
“However, there were some high speeds detected to the west of Nhill – one in particular was doing in excess of 180 kilometres per hour,” he said.
“That person will be charged with the relevant offences and will face court at a later date.
“That’s a very concerning speed. We just ask people to take note of road- safety messages and slow down – we want everyone to arrive safely.”
Senior Sergeant Haughton said 64 policing shifts were dedicated to Operation Nexus during the long weekend in the Horsham Police Service Area.
“More than 1500 preliminary breath tests were conducted, with no drink- driving offences detected in the Horsham Police Service Area,” he said.
“One-hundred-and-sixty-seven offences were detected, with more than 100 of those being speed related. Other offences detected were drug driving, unlicensed driving, along with seatbelt and mobile-phone offences.
“We continue to urge the public to slow down, to not drive while under the influence of drugs and-or alcohol, take breaks where needed, wear seatbelts and to not use mobile phones while driving.”
In the Northern Grampians Police Service Area, five drink drivers and one drug driver were detected, along with two disqualified drivers, two unlicensed drivers, and three unregistered vehicles.
Sixteen speeding offences were detected, and there was one impoundment.
There were three fatalities statewide, bringing the total lives lost on Victorian roads this year to 66, compared to 81 at the same time last year.
Police are reminding motorists they will continue to enforce road rules anywhere, anytime across the state’s roads, with another major road policing operation to be launched later this week.
Road Policing Acting Assistant Commissioner Justin Goldsmith said ultimately, all traffic penalties were avoidable if motorists stuck to the rules.
“Despite our repeated warnings that we would be out in force, disappointingly we have detected thousands of infringements for breaching the road rules over Easter,” he said.
“With school holidays underway in Victoria, motorists will see police remaining highly visible and enforcing on the state’s roads over the coming weeks, and should expect to be tested anywhere, anytime.”
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