By Gabriella Payne
With Christmas just around the corner, police are out in force patrolling our streets in a bid to keep everyone safe and merry this festive season.
Officers from the Cardinia Highway Patrol have conducted numerous road safety operations in recent weeks, targeting drug and alcohol impaired drivers in the area, and are also part of the statewide initiative, Operation Roadwise, which focuses more specifically on the busy Christmas period.
Cardinia Highway Patrol Sergeant Travis Cusack said that a recent operation on the Princes Highway in Pakenham had revealed a number of motorists had been driving under the influence of substances – and he urged people to stay safe behind the wheel.
“On 16th December 2021, Cardinia Highway Patrol conducted Operation Redline, targeting drug driving on the Princes Highway in Pakenham,“ Sergeant Cusack said.
“100 drivers were tested for illicit drugs with 10 drivers testing positive and another two drivers charged with refusal offences.
“In addition to the drug drivers, four disqualified drivers were also detected with two vehicles impounded.
“This operation was a lead up into Operation Roadwise which is now underway,“ he said.
“Victoria Police will be out in force as part of Operation Roadwise which will be conducted to correspond with the Christmas holiday period, focusing on impaired driving, speed, distraction and fatigue,“ Sergeant Cusack explained.
Last year more than 6,200 speeding offences were detected over the Christmas and New Year’s period and sadly, 10 lives were lost between 18 December 2020 and 6 January 2021.
Operation Roadwise hopes to reduce road trauma during the festive season and ensure everyone arrives at their destination safely this Christmas.
“We know the festive season is a celebratory time for many, which is likely to result in alcohol and drug consumption,“ Sergeant Cusack said.
“We certainly don’t want to see anybody getting behind the wheel if they’re impaired.
“If you’re planning to drink at a social function, think about how you’ll get home safely without driving.“
Sadly, 226 lives have been lost on Victorian roads so far this year – surpassing the number of deaths on the state’s roads in 2020, when 211 deaths were recorded.
As a way of highlighting the devastating impacts of road trauma this Christmas, Victoria Police have launched a new awareness campaign.
226 baubles have been hung from a large Christmas Tree in the Victoria Police Centre foyer, each one paying tribute to a life lost on our roads in 2021 with an inscription of each victim’s name and age.
The Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing, Glenn Weir, said that while Christmas was a festive and fun time for all, 226 families would have an empty seat at the table this holiday season due to road trauma.
“For most of us, this is an exciting time of year with holidays fast approaching and festive cheer in full swing,“ Assistant Commissioner Weir said.
“But for the families of the 226 people who are honoured with this Christmas tree, it’s a sobering reminder that their loved one will not be with them.
“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.
“It’s up to all of us to ensure we reach our destination safely.
“While we’re asking everyone to slow down, not drink or take drugs and drive, and avoid distractions like mobile phones – rest assured police will also be doing our bit and ramping up enforcement on Victorian roads,“ he said.
“Please, drive safely.
“We don’t want to see any more names added to this Christmas tree.”
Operation Roadwise will be running until 11.59pm on Sunday 26 December 2021 across Victoria.
