Elsie Lange
Motorists across Victoria have been urged by police to take care this Easter, following five fatalities last weekend.
There will be a strong police presence on Victorian roads and highways, including in Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges, undertaking Operation Compass in an effort to reduce road trauma.
In a statement, police said the operation would coincide with Easter and Anzac Day public holidays.
“Following the lowest number of lives lost for March on record last month, police are warning motorists not to be complacent during April,” police said.
“There have been 11 lives lost already this month, including five fatalities which occurred over the first weekend of the Victorian school holidays.”
Police will be focusing on motorists travelling to regional areas, as fatalities on regional roads are up almost 40 per cent on 2021 levels – over 9000 infringements were handed out over Easter last year.
Operation Compass will end at 11.59pm on Monday, April 25.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said Easter is a high risk period on the road, because it attracts significant travel across the state.
“This year poses an additional challenge, with the Easter and Anzac Day public holidays falling over consecutive weekends,” Mr Weir said.
“As a result, we’ll be conducting an extended operation this year to coincide with both weekends.”
