Acting Senior Sergeant Damon Patralakis’ warning for long weekend drivers

A Geelong based police officer says residents aren’t listening to the warnings of authorities ahead of a major Easter weekend crackdown.

Leading Senior Constable Mon Pickett and Acting Senior Sergeant Damon Patralakis. Geelong Highway Patrol are ready for the long weekend on the roads. Picture: Alan Barber

Drivers failing to listen to the warnings of authorities is leaving police “frustrated,” as they gear up for a major statewide operation this weekend.

With consecutive long weekends this year, Victoria Police’s Operation Compass will run over 10-day, with every available resource to be deployed until the conclusion of the Anzac Day long weekend.

Police are telling residents to be careful on the region’s roads Acting Senior Sergeant Damon Patralakis of the Geelong Highway Patrol said people aren’t listening to warnings ahead of long weekend.

“The messaging has been out for decades now around the dangers,” Mr Patralakis said.

“We continuously send out this messaging, as does the TAC, and we just want to encourage road users this year to make smart choices.

“It’s pretty frustrating.

Acting Senior Sergeant Damon Patralakis said it’s frustrating that people aren’t heeding police messaging. Picture: Alan Barber

“Clearly, with the statistics, they’re not (listening).”

Mr Patralakis said the Easter period was one of the most dangerous on our roads.

“People are out, they’ve got time off work, kids are out of school, people are holidaying,” he said.

“We know that people enjoy a drink, which is fine, but unfortunately we tend to see an increase in the levels of impaired drivers that we’re detecting.

“Our message to road users is go out, enjoy the holidays, but if you’re having a drink, plan ahead.”

Police will be out in force across the Geelong region, with a number of booze bus’ and random drug tests, as well as an increased focus on speeding and distracted drivers.

“We know that speeding on rural roads is a major contributor to our serious collisions,” Mr Patralakis said.

“Already in the Geelong and Colac areas, we’ve seen 14 lives lost this year, and the vast majority have been on rural roads.

“We can’t be everywhere at once, but we will have a strong presence across the region.”

Mr Patralakis said it was up to everyone to stay safe on the weekend.

“Road trauma affects all people,” he said.

“Whether you’re a passenger, a pedestrian, a cyclist, its everyone’s responsibility to be taking due care.

“If you’re a passenger, and your driver is speeding, call them out on it, you know, everyone’s got a responsibility to try and make sure everyone gets home safe.”

Originally published as Acting Senior Sergeant Damon Patralakis’ warning for long weekend drivers