Police efforts ramp up to crackdown on Victoria’s shocking road toll

Footy celebrations will be targeted by police in a statewide crackdown on drink and distracted driving. And tomorrow a countrywide operation will see “as many police as possible” out in force to catch drivers dancing with death.

Drivers on the road during Grand Final weekend and local footy celebrations will be targeted by police.

A crack down on distracted, drunk, and drug-influenced drivers in Hume, Moonee Valley and Moreland will kick off tomorrow.

Part of a national day of action, it will run for 24 hours on Tuesday and see all states and territories flooded with police officers.

Fawkner acting inspector Paul Berry said “as many police officers as possible” would be patrolling roads.

Police will be cracking down on drunk and drug-affected drivers.

Insp Berry said too many people, especially younger drivers, were being caught using their phones while driving.

“We get all manner of excuses like my mum wanted to speak to me, or they’re using Google maps. If you can’t resist the temptation, put your phone in the boot unless you’re using hands-free,” Insp Berry said.

“Taking that call or sending that text is just not worth losing your life, or taking someone else’s.”

Younger drivers are the main perpetrators of texting and talking on mobile phones while driving.

Cars run off the road and rear-end crashes were the most common types of incidents associated with mobile phone usage.

He said 86 people had been caught using their phones while driving along Gaffney St in Coburg over just two days last week.

“People are not getting it and it has to stop. People need to think,” Insp Berry said.

Drivers caught using devices while driving are stung with a $495 fine and lose four demerit points.

People leaving local footy celebrations and Grand Final parties will also be targeted by police.

And it’s not just drivers who are causing havoc while using their phones, Insp Berry said he was seeing an increasing number of pedestrians using their phones while crossing the road.

“It is a major contributor to road trauma,” he said.

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Operation Argus will run from Thursday, September 5 to Sunday, September 8.

Drink and drug driving, speed and seatbelts will also be targeted during the operation in Moreland, Moonee Valley and Hume.

Operation Scoreboard will kick off on Grand Final weekend.

More than 1000 drivers were caught offending in Hume, Moonee Valley and Moreland last year — the highest number recorded during the AFL Grand Final weekend.

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