Police across Geelong and the Surf Coast are pursuing some of the biggest killers on Victoria’s roads – speed, alchohol and fatigue – as the region heads into the unofficial long Melbourne Cup weekend.
The number of lives lost on Victoria’s roads in 2023 stands at 237, just four short of the total for all of 2022, and police say they will be pulling out all stops to slow the deadly upward spiral.
Operation Furlong, which kicked off at midnight, will see police out in force across the state for the next five days, with many people traditionally taking Monday off to give themselves a longer break.
Sergeant David Brockway from Geelong Highway Patrol said local hospitality businesses are also aware of the role they must play.
“All of our licensed venues are on board with us, to ensure that we don’t have impaired drivers out on the road,” he said.
Sgt Brockway said Geelong police are determined to help drivers get to their destinations safely.
“We’re … getting out there and having a presence, to make sure that the community not only feels safe, but also knows we’re keeping everyone accountable for their own actions.”
Police plan to conduct more than 120,000 preliminary breath tests between now and Wednesday, twice as many as last year’s operation.
Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, Glenn Weir, said drivers in regional Victoria should expect to see a visible police presence.
“Police will have zero tolerance for drink and drug driving,” he said.
“These behaviours continue to contribute significantly to serious injury and fatal collisions, and we’re doing everything we can to reduce further trauma on our roads this year.”
Penalties for drink driving are significant: a first offence for a fully licenced motorist over the age of 26 who is caught with a blood alcohol limit between 0.05 and 0.07, attracts a fine of $577 and an immediate three-month licence suspension.
The penalties increase substantially for those under 26 years of age, those required to have a zero blood or breath alcohol level, those caught for second or subsequent drink driving offences, and those caught over 0.07 or above.
