Police to begin major blitz to tackle horror road toll
The worst road toll in four years has meant Victoria Police has had to get a bigger commemorative tree used to hang baubles representing each crash victim. Now police hope a new blitz will ensure everyone can make it home this Christmas.
VIC News
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An all-out effort to stem this year’s horror road toll will begin on Friday with police blitzing roads statewide.
The worst road toll in four years has meant Victoria Police has had to get a bigger commemorative tree used to hang baubles representing each crash victim.
The family of a 24-year-old man struck and killed while crossing the road in Victoria’s east has joined the plea for greater care on the roads.
Drug and drink driving will be a key focus during the holiday safety blitz, which will run over Christmas and into the new year.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy told the Herald Sun: “Drug and alcohol testing will be taking place throughout the state and our police will be testing as many motorists and riders as possible to get those who are impaired off our roads.”
“Twelve people lost their lives on our roads last year during the festive season,” Ms Murphy said.
“Many people will be attending parties and other events to celebrate the end of the year, so if you are going to have a few drinks, then make sure you’ve planned how to get home without driving.”
Since January 253 people have died on Victoria’s roads compared with 199 at the same time last year. It’s feared the toll could reach 270 by year’s end.
Angela Brown, whose son Dayne Rech was killed at Traralgon in February, said all road users needed to take better care.
The Westbury family — which also includes Ms Brown’s husband Colin, Dayne’s sister Steph and stepsister Abbey — is determined to mark Christmas because the beloved boilermaker and pressure welder loved it so much.
He was crossing the Princes Hwy as he waited for a lift home after Friday night at a friend’s house just after 2am when struck.
The driver — who had been diverted on to the road because of another accident — was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Ms Brown last spoke to her son via text message, the car fanatic sharing his delight about repairs to his prized Holden Commodore which the family now uses to visit his grave.
“You always tell him that you love him,’’ Ms Brown said.
“That’s something that I have that I know regardless of what has happened and how he died he knew that he was loved.
“He was a beautiful soul.”
Eight hundred people attended Mr Rech’s funeral, packing Moe’s town hall. His casket made a final trip home before being laid to rest.
“We got that knock on the door really early and there was two female police officers there,’’ Ms Brown said.
“Even though it’s really touched us and it’s changed our lives it’s also changed a lot of other people’s too.
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“The decisions that we make can put us in a particular place at a specific time.
“If people can just be aware.
“Noone ever expects to have an accident when they leave home.”
Police Minister Lisa Neville said: “One death on our roads is one too many, and this Christmas we’re doing everything we can’t to keep motorists safe.”
“Dangerous drivers put other road users at risk and have no place on Victorian roads,’’ Ms Neville said.
“We want to see all Victorians drivers make the right choices this Christmas and New Year period. If you speed, use your phone behind the wheel or drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you will be caught.”