Almost 3900 motorists were detected speeding on Victorian roads during an eight-day safety blitz.
Operation Compass saw Victoria Police ramp up patrols over Melbourne Cup week, which coincided with travel restrictions lifting between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Police targeted major roads and highways leading to regional areas and tourism hotspots including Maroondah Highway and throughout the Yarra Ranges.
Drivers detected throughout the police coverage area included:
4 drink drivers
7 drug drivers
6 disqualified drivers
8 unlicensed drivers
97 speeding offences
3 disobey signs/signals
3 seatbelt offences
6 mobile phone offences
19 unregistered vehicles
3 impoundments
Assistant Commissioner Road Policing Glenn Weir said it was a shame to see how people disregarded road rules over the Cup Weekend period and as soon as restrictions were eased across the state.
“We have caught far too many people undertaking high-risk driving behaviour during this period – the number of people detected speeding at mid-range to high levels is alarming,” he said.
“Speed remains the number one contributing factor to fatalities and serious injury collision on our roads. Lives can be saved if people make better choices behind the wheel.
“The speed limits are there to keep people safe, and we will continue to hold motorists who pose a risk to other road users to account. Everyone deserves to arrive at their destination alive.”
Operation Compass was conducted in two phases, from 12:01am Friday 29 October to 11:59pm Tuesday 2 November and from 12:01am Friday 5 November to 11:59pm on Sunday 7 November.
A total of 8641 traffic offences were detected across the state, 3884 were speeding offences and a further 523 were caught for alcohol or drug-related driving offences.
