Victoria Police is warning motorists to take extra care on the roads this Easter weekend with three fatal collisions already recorded in the first three days of this month.
Operation Nexus, launching at midnight on Thursday, April 6, will involve police ramping up enforcement across the state in an effort to reduce road trauma.
Assistant Commissioner Road Policing Glenn Weir said police will be doing everything they can to drive down road trauma this Easter with members highly visible and enforcing across the state.
“Easter is a high-risk period on our roads, it’s a major holiday weekend that attracts significant travel across the state,” he said.
“There have been 11 lives lost on Victorian roads over the last five Easter periods. That’s 11 lives tragically cut short, instead of enjoying Easter with their families, friends and loved ones.”
The operation follows a shocking start to the year which saw 37 lives lost on Victorian roads in January, one of the worst months in recent years.
So far in 2023 there have been 87 lives lost statewide, up 33 per cent from this time last year.
The three fatal collisions this month were in Beaconsfield, Chirnside Park and South Geelong.
Police are preparing for widespread travel across the state and will be targeting areas deemed high risk. Deaths on rural roads make up 60 per cent of this year’s overall fatalities.
Mr Weir said that with the number of lives lost on rural roads this year, Police will be particularly focused on the major arterials leading to regional Victoria and popular holiday hotspots.
“Last year we issued almost 8000 infringements and conducted more than 107,000 alcohol and drug tests so this year motorists should definitely expect to see police and expect to be tested,” he said.
Motorists are encouraged to use VICSES Driver Reviver sites across the state to manage fatigue on longer trips.
Operation Nexus commences at 12:01am Thursday, April 6 and will conclude at 11:59pm on Monday, April 10.
