Elsie Lange
Victoria Police detected more than 7000 offences over the AFL Grand Final long weekend as part of a statewide operation targeting high-risk driving behaviour.
Over five days, road policing Operation Scoreboard had officers focused on speeding, impaired driving and distraction.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said it had been a “busy weekend” across the state, with many of the penalties and infringements preventable had drivers slowed down, paid attention and obeyed speed limits.
“Almost 500 drivers were detected for driving whilst unlicensed, disqualified or suspended, meaning they shouldn’t even be behind the wheel,” he said.
“This blatant disregard for the rules will not be tolerated, and police will continue to utilise ANPR technology to detect and remove unauthorised drivers from the roads.”
Across Hume and the Macedon Ranges, police recorded 39 and 50 driving offences respectively during the operation.
Thirty-four drivers were caught speeding in the Macedon Ranges, as well as one disqualified driver, one unlicensed driver, two drivers disobeying signals or signs and five unregistered vehicles.
In Hume there were nine drivers caught speeding, alongside five disqualified drivers, two unlicensed drivers, 23 drivers disobeying signals or signs, three mobile phone offences, five unregistered vehicles and three vehicle impoundments.
Across the state, the operation recorded 2881 speeding offences, 494 unlicenced, disqualified or suspended drivers, 224 drink driving offences from 119, 953 breath tests and 212 drug driving offences from 3615 roadside drug tests.
Hume and Macedon Ranges both recorded zero drunk or drug drivers.
Assistant Commissioner Weir said it was “not the time to be complacent”.
“We’re experiencing high levels of road trauma not seen since well before the pandemic,” he said.
“Police will continue to be on high alert for motorists engaging in risk-taking behaviour that puts other road users in danger.”
Operation Scoreboard ran from Wednesday, September 21 to Sunday, September 25.
