Ten lives have been lost in Bendigo, Campaspe and the Macedon Ranges regions so far this year, spurring a major road safety operation across Victoria’s west.
Operation West Connect saw highway patrol units across major roads in Western, Northern and Central Victoria targeting high-risk driving behaviour in June.
Of the total 165 offences detected during the operation state-wide, 24 speeding offences were handed out locally and seven unregistered vehicles were caught in Bendigo. One defect notice was also given out.
96 breath tests and 16 drug tests were conducted across Bendigo, Campaspe Shire and the Macedon Ranges, with no drunk drivers caught but one drug driver detected.
Western Region Road Policing Inspector, Justine Ryan, says that “while road trauma is actually down on roads in Western Victoria compared to last year, 35 lives lost [state-wide] is still far too many, and we know first-hand the ripple effect this has across our communities.
“Speeding continues to be a major contributing factor to serious injury and fatal collisions on regional roads, and yet we continue to catch so many people going over the speed limit.
“Slowing down and sticking to the speed limit, as well as avoiding distractions behind the wheel, are things we can all do to help make our roads safer and prevent further tragedies.”
The operation will continue across Western Victoria – encompassing major arterial roads from Bendigo to far west as the SA Border.
