Victoria Police has launched its Grand Final weekend road policing operation with a focus on motorcycle safety after unprecedented rider deaths so far this year.
The statewide policing effort, known as Operation Scoreboard, has been extended to accommodate the National Day of Mourning public holiday on 22 September, with police expecting many people will take advantage of the extra long weekend.
Police across the state will target speeding and distracted drivers heading out to regional areas on high-risk rural roads and highways, with drivers being warned on Maroondah Highway in Coldstream to drive carefully.
Police are also warning Victorians celebrating the AFL Grand Final that there will be zero tolerance for drink or drug driving, and motorists should expect to be tested while out on the roads this weekend.
It comes as Victoria has recorded 178 lives lost in 2022 – 21 higher than 2021 (157) and trending well above the five-year average of 166.
Of particular concern to police is the rising number of motorcyclist deaths – there have been 38 fatalities, trending well above the five-year average of 27 and on track to exceed the highest number of motorcyclist fatalities recorded in the last five-years (44 in 2019).
Speed has been cited as a factor in at least 20 motorcyclist fatalities this year, with half of the deceased riders under the age of 35.
“More motorcycles on Victorian roads has led to an increase in motorcycle trauma in 2022, and alarmingly we are on track to exceed the most motorcycle deaths recorded in the last five years,” road policing assistant commissioner Glenn Weir said.
“Concerningly for police, October to December is historically one of the highest-risk periods for motorcycle trauma, however we are already trending well above previous years. We need to do everything we can to prevent more rider deaths and serious injuries from occurring.”
A/C Weir said police suspect the rising cost of living and fuel prices have had an effect on people choosing to ride motorcycles instead of driving vehicles.
“During Operation Scoreboard, police will be keeping a close eye out for motorcyclists engaging in risky behaviour, particularly speeding which has contributed to more than half of rider deaths this year,” he said.
Police will utilise automatic numberplate recognition technology to detect unauthorised motorists, with almost half of deceased motorcyclists either unlicenced, suspended or disqualified from riding a motorcycle.
Despite Covid restrictions, last year police managed to detect over 2,000 traffic offences during Operation Scoreboard – with speeding the most common offence, as well as almost 200 drink and drug driving detections.
“We will also be conducting extensive alcohol and drug testing as Victorians enjoy Grand Final football in Melbourne after a two-year hiatus,” A/C Weir said.
“Please take extra care as you travel across the state over the weekend – we’ve seen far too many tragic, yet completely avoidable fatal collisions this year.”
Operation Scoreboard will run statewide from 12:01am Wednesday 21 September to 11:59pm Sunday 25 September.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads this long weekend, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.
