POLICE have vowed to enforce driver behaviour change after more than 500 offences were detected across the south-west during Operation Nexus.
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South-west police road safety adviser Senior Sergeant Tania Barbary said the offences were in the Warrnambool, Moyne, Corangamite, Glenelg and Southern Grampians councils areas in the Easter and Anzac Day period.
There were 542 offences with speeding among the most prolific - 274 drivers at less than 10km/h over the limit, 334 for 10 to 25km/h and a staggering 48 for over 25km/h.
In addition there were 34 seatbelt offences, 10 drivers using mobile phone and a P-plater was caught at 168km/h near Allansford on Easter Monday with that vehicle being impounded.
Police were active with almost 10,000 preliminary breath tests conducted (9557) with no zero licence condition holders caught but eight for over .05 and two for refusing alcohol breath tests.
There were also 10 positive oral fluid drug tests and four drivers refused to take a drug test.
Fortunately it was a fatality free period in the south-west although there were three serious injury collisions in the Warrnambool district, three people from the one collision near Cobden last Friday.
"We were disappointed with number of offences detected," Senior Sergeant Barbary said.
"Speed, impaired driving, distraction are all known causes of road trauma on our roads."
The road safety chief said road trauma would not be reduced until road users accept responsibility and adjust their behaviour.
"If the public won’t accept this responsibility to change, then it’s our job to help them do it," Senior Sergeant Barbary said.
"Police will be out in force next week to make sure people stay safe on our roads during the May Race Carnival. Police will be testing for drink and drug driving. The message is simple : If you’re not fit to drive – don’t.
“Plan ahead and arrange alternate transport. Book a taxi, ride a bus, have an agreed designated driver who is fit to drive, but don’t become a statistic.”
Senior Sergeant Barbary said to highlight Victoria’s towards zero road safety campaign message, the Guardian V2 would be at the May Race Carnival next week.
She said the Mercedes-AMG E 43 was one of the safest cars on the road.