More than 300 local drivers have been busted for traffic infringements ranging from speeding to mobile phone offences during a long weekend blitz.
Police across the state were involved in Operation Arid, which wrapped up on Monday night.
Sadly, the four day crackdown was not enough to save four people who lost their lives in separate accidents, including a woman who died in a two-car collision at Winchelsea on Saturday night.
Geelong and Surf Coast police detected 208 speeding drivers, 19 people with illegal levels of drugs or alcohol in their systems, and 19 drivers at the wheel of unregistered vehicles.
Across the state more than 76,000 prelimimary breath tests were conducted, resulting in 203 charges – a strike rate of one in 375.
52 of those cases involved P plate drivers, who are not permitted to have any alcohol in their systems.
Of the 2,843 motorists caught speeding, one in 10 had their cars impounded after being clocked at more than 25km/h over the posted speed limit.
A further 2,161 were caught speeding by between 10km/h and 25km/h.
Road Policing Acting Assistant Commissioner, John Fitzpatrick, said the rate of offending was unacceptable.
“At high speed there’s little room for error and the consequences of a mistake are magnified,” he said. “To put it bluntly, it’s a recipe for disaster.”
“We’re also seeing too many people getting behind the wheel when they shouldn’t – be it for drinking, taking drugs or not having a licence.
“To find so many people driving around without a seatbelt is mind-boggling. A seatbelt can’t save you if you’re not wearing it.”
Operation Arid 2024 results
Offence | Vic | Geelong/Surf Coast |
Speeding | 2843 | 208 |
Drive unregistered vehicle | 532 | 19 |
Disobey sign/signal | 399 | 140 |
Unlicensed driving | 204 | 6 |
Drink Drive | 203 | 9 |
Mobile phone | 185 | 6 |
Drive while disqualified/suspended | 184 | 9 |
Drug drive | 166 | 12 |
Fail to wear seatbelt | 117 | 4 |
Vehicle impounds | 109 | 2 |