Police across Victoria will focus their efforts towards preventing road trauma through the annual Operation Regal, as residents swap the four walls of their home for a weekend getaway following the easing of coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

Warrnambool police highway patrol unit Sergeant Martin Flannery said in conjunction with the state safety campaign, south-west police would be running separate local Operation Winterprep from Friday until Saturday, June 13.

He said Leading Senior Constable Paul Marsland was the driving force behind the operation after statistics identified the condition of vehicles could be a risk factor in winter driving.

Warrnambool, Corangamite and Moyne council-based police officers will be focusing on car safety.

Police reminded drivers that winter had started and it was time to check the condition of their vehicle's:

Sergeant Flannery said the operation was launched to counter the intelligence the condition of vehicles was a significant risk factor in winter driving.

"It's darker later into the mornings and gets dark earlier in the evenings," he said.

"In addition to the five main risk factors - alcohol or drug impaired driving, speed, fatigue, distraction (mobile phones) and seatbelts - motorists are more likely to be now driving in the dark.

"Poor weather also has an impact on visibility. It's simply now more difficult to see, especially to see cyclists and pedestrians."

The highway patrol officer said all available police would focus on reducing road trauma from Friday through to Monday.

"It's expected that there will be much more traffic on the roads and drivers need to be patient as travel times will be longer," he said.

"We will also be testing drivers for alcohol and drugs, both at check points and random intercepts.

"Higher rainfall also leads to the degradation of roads and creates unfavourable driving condition. Motorists need to be aware of those factors and always drive to the road and weather conditions."

The long weekend comes at a time when the number of lives lost on the Victorian roads approaches the number of Australian lives lost to COVID-19.

Road policing command Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy said the community had been adhering to the public health warnings and it was time to listen to road safety warnings.

"Despite all the warnings, unfortunately some people continue to speed, drink, take drugs and drive," she said..

"We want people to take road trauma seriously. One life is too many, let alone close to 100 Victorians who will not be around to see the year end.

"If nothing else, think about the grief and sadness your loves ones will have to go through should you not make it home, or the pain they will have to endure visiting you in a jail cell from killing someone else."

The assistant commissioner requested drivers make smart decisions on the road during Operation Regal, from midnight Thursday until midnight Monday.

"Until road trauma touches someone you love, you don't realise the very real and life-long effects it can have. By then, it is all too late," she said.

"Many drivers may be out of practice after not travelling long distances or on country roads since March. Make sure you give enough distance between vehicles, look ahead and give your full attention to driving."

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