By Jessica Micallef
Sunbury and Macedon Ranges motorists are being urged to stay alert and safe on the road during the festive season.
Police will be out in full force during the Christmas and new year period as part of the statewide 24-day Operation Roadwise campaign.
Macedon Ranges Police Inspector Chris Large said there would be a higher police presence on Victorian roads, including drug and alcohol buses.
“The aim of the operation is to reduce incidents and road trauma during the Christmas and new year period,” he said.
“We will be targeting speed, drink and drug driving, driver distraction, fatigue issues and seatbelt offences which is a particular issue for the Macedon Ranges. It is something that we have become aware of.
“It’s the busiest time of the year on Victorian roads. We will have additional police resources right across the state and we will be having, in the Macedon Ranges, police vehicles on the road right across the operation.
“There will be some visible locations and some not visible. That’s the whole point of the operation – to make sure there are police visible in the community and that people are keeping safe this year.”
Inspector Large said drivers should think of their loved ones before getting behind the wheel.
“2019 has been a really challenging period for us,” he said.
“This year there has been more road fatalities. Many families are facing Christmas without loved ones.
“We will be out there keeping people safe on the roads so my message is stay safe, stay alert, stay sober and stick within the driving conditions.”
So far more than 250 lives have been lost on Victorian roads this year, up from 199 in 2018.
Operation Roadwise started on Friday, December 13 and will finish on Sunday, January 5.
