Operation Arid to target drink, drug and speeding drivers during Labour Day long weekend

After a shocking start to the year on Victorian roads, police are targeting speeding and drink drivers during the Labour Day weekend in a bid to reduce road trauma.

Police will launch Operation Arid on Friday in a bid to target high-risk driving over the Labour Day weekend. Picture: Mark Wilson

Police have warned speeding and drink drivers will be busted this Labour Day long weekend with officers out in full force across major and rural roads.

After a “shocking” start to the year on Victorian roads with 42 lives lost across the state, Operation Arid will launch at midnight on Friday to target drink, drug and speeding drivers and prevent further tragedy on our roads.

Geelong Highway Patrol Sergeant Dave Brockway said officers would focus on speeding in particular across the region’s major and rural roads.

“Labour Day is a significant weekend down on the Bellarine and the Surf Coast with people heading down from Melbourne to catch the last bit of sun and surf before it gets a bit colder,” he said.

“One of our main focuses down here is speed, (especially) roads that get particularly busier over long weekends.”

Police will launch Operation Arid on Friday in a bid to target high-risk driving over the Labour Day weekend. Picture: Mark Wilson

The key message for drivers remains simple – “slow down and take your time”.

“The Surf Coast and the Bellarine aren’t going anywhere, they are going to still be the same regardless of how long it takes you to get there,” Sergeant Brockway said.

“Just be patient on the roads and get there safely to enjoy the weekend.”

With a number of events taking place over the weekend, Sergeant Brockway encouraged people to never get behind the wheel after drinking.

“Even if you are mildly alcohol affected, it can still have catastrophic impacts,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner for road policing, Glenn Weir, said officers were anticipating many Victorians to hit the road during the long weekend.

“We’ll be out with our full contingent of police vehicles to ensure everyone is doing their bit to keep themselves and all other road users safe,” Commissioner Weir said.

“It’s been a shocking start to the year on our roads – particularly on our rural roads.

“March is historically a high-risk month for road trauma and we cannot afford complacency on our roads.”

Life Saving Victoria (LSV) has also warned locals to remain vigilant around the water with Victorians expected to head down to the coast over the long weekend.

Statistics show Victorians are 68 per cent more likely to drown on a public holiday than another other day of the year.

“During the four days from Christmas Day, Victoria experienced its highest drowning period in 18 years, a trend we do not want to see repeated this Labour Day holiday,” LSV general manager Paul Shannon said.

Originally published as Operation Arid to target drink, drug and speeding drivers during Labour Day long weekend