Already there have been 10 deaths in the south-west compared with eight for all of 2018 after a horror start to the year on the roads.

South-west road safety adviser Acting Senior Sergeant Dean Greenwood said it was essential motorists drove to the conditions in wet weather.

"Just because a road is sign posted 100km/h doesn't mean that you have to drive at that speed," he said.

"We've now had a few fatality-free weeks. We had a tough start to the year and police have thrown a lot of resources at road safety."

Acting Senior Sergeant Greenwood said a western Victoria road safety operation last weekend highlighted that drivers were still prepared to deliberately exceed speed limits.

Ten motorists lost their licence during Operation Verat after being caught at more than 25km/h over the speed limit.

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A more than 50 percent jump in road fatalities prompted the three-day operation.

Operation Verat focused on the Hamilton Highway and Glenelg Highway across four western police regions.

There were 149 offences detected, including the 10 drivers at more than 25km/h over the limit and 103 other speeding offences.

"We will be out on the roads patrolling again this weekend. We will be detecting speeding drivers, pulling them over and prosecuting them," Acting Senior Sergeant Greenwood said.

"The focus will again be the main risk factors of speed, distraction, impaired driving, fatigue and seat belts," he said.

Acting Senior Sergeant Greenwood said in wet and windy weather drivers had to be aware of even more hazards than usual due to fallen branches, trees and power lines.

"Give yourself plenty of time to get where you are going," he said.

"It's also a good opportunity to check your vehicle is roadworthy - are your tyres OK, widescreen wipers, headlights and tail light all working.

"We want all drivers to be safe, just simple things like leaving a bit of extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you in the wet."

The road safety adviser said there were other hazards in the wet with trucks throwing out a lot of spray and scalloped out road adding the risk of aquaplaning.

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