By Jessica Micallef
More than nine drivers a day were caught breaking the law on Macedon Ranges roads during the Christmas and new year period.
Police were out in full force on Victorian roads during an 18-day festive crackdown between Thursday, December 19 and Sunday, January 5.
Police intercepted 173 drivers on Macedon Ranges roads, including 93 speeding drivers, nine drivers disobeying traffic signals and signs, and 16 motorists driving without a seatbelt.
Police nabbed 27 motorists driving unregistered vehicles, while six disqualified drivers were caught on the road. Three drivers were caught using their mobile phones.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy said it was alarming how many unauthorised drivers police detected statewide.
“We are already off to a sad start this year and I do not want to see any more Victorians dying unnecessarily,” she said.
So far, more than four people have lost their lives on Victorian roads in 2020, with the first fatality occurring within the first two hours of the new year.
Assistant Commissioner Murphy said while 2019 was a challenging year on Victorian roads, the last six months of the year saw the number of deaths at a 10-year low.
“I don’t want to lose momentum and have history repeat itself, which saw a shocking number of people lose their lives at the beginning of last year,” she said.
