Local police are bracing for a busy weekend on local roads as people take advantage of the unofficial long weekend.
Operation Furlong is a statewide operation, starting in the early hours of Friday, and running until late Wednesday night.
Officers will be targeting offences including speeding, drink and drug driving, using a mobile phone behind the wheel, and fatigue.
Acting Senior Sergeant Jarrod Chatfield from Geelong Highway Patrol said they were expecting tourists in the region.
“Geelong and the Surf Coast is a high tourist area, so a lot of those escaping the city who aren’t interested in the races will definitely get away to the coast and make the most of the long weekend,” he said.
Sr Sgt Chatfield also warned major and backroads will be a strong focus.
“With the condition of the roads at the moment, those backroads do pose issues for us.
“A lot of our trauma is on backroads, close to home, and those high speed regional roads.”
Last year’s operation over the Melbourne Cup weekend saw almost 3,000 drivers pulled over for speeding.
Sr Sgt Chatfield said while enforcement was important, he said the operation was not about just issuing fines.
“It’s about changing driver behaviour, and ultimately preventing road trauma,” he said.
“We’re asking motorists to slow down, put the phone away, take regular breaks and be patient with other road users.”
