Drivers caught on long weekend sting

By Jessica Micallef

Macedon Ranges and Hume drivers remained relatively safe on the road during the Australia Day long weekend, despite a high number of offences detected across Victoria.

Police were out in force on Victorian roads as part of the statewide Operation Amity between Friday, January 25 and Monday, January 27.

In Macedon, police intercepted 21 drivers, including three drunk drivers, 11 speeding motorists and three drivers disobeying signs and signals.

Police also nabbed one unlicenced driver and three unregistered vehicles.

In Hume, a total of 46 drivers were caught breaking the law during the long weekend.

Fourteen drivers were caught speeding while three motorists were caught for unlicenced driving.

Police nabbed one drink driver, 16 motorists disobeying signs and signals, two drivers driving without a seatbelt while two disqualified drivers were caught on the road.

Statewide, police detected more than 6300 traffic offences across the state, including 233 drink drivers and 141 drivers under the influence of drugs.

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy said it was disappointing to see people continuing to put their lives and others at risk on the road.

“No one is invincible and that’s unfortunately the hardest lesson people learn,” she said. “Until the message sinks in for everyone, we will continue to education the community and enforcing where possible.”