PORT Fairy police will target motorists and passengers not wearing seat belts, and bicycle riders using mobile phones.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Officer in Charge David Walkely said officers would be tasked with monitoring local roads and he wanted to give people an opportunity to comply before they were fined.
"It's mainly just a reminder for people who are even just travelling short distances without a seat belt," Sergeant Walkley said.
"If the airbag deploys it can cause significant injuries.
"People become lazy and complacent and they think they are just going around the corner and nothing can happen. But collisions can happen in the town you live in and close to home."
The fine for not wearing a seat belt is $330 and a loss of three demerit points.
Passengers can also be fined $330 if not wearing a seat belt.
If the passenger is 16 years or under the driver can be fined $372 and lose three demerit points.
Sergeant Walkley said police would also be targeting bike riders using mobile phones.
"I'm not sure people are aware that is an offence," he said.
"It's a $496 dollar fine for riding a bike with a hand held mobile phone.
"The dangers are obvious, if you're trying to speak on phone or text, and your involved in a collision, whether you're right or wrong you're going to come off second best with a car."
Sergeant Walkley said road safety was a particular area of concern for him since taking charge at the Port Fairy police station last month. The former Port Fairy Officer in Charge of 16 years, Mick Wolfe, departed from the role 18 months ago and officially finished in April.