Thousands of motorists are expected to be tested for drugs or alcohol over the Easter long weekend, as police saturate highways, regional and suburban roads as a part of Operation Nexus.
Minister for Police Lisa Neville today joined Victoria Police to launch the five-day police operation to target impaired and dangerous drivers across the state.
The first of a new fleet of 10 state-of-the-art alcohol and drug buses will join the existing fleet to target drivers who are putting their own and other road users’ lives at risk.
Operation Nexus began at midnight with police to also focus on speeding, failure to wear a seatbelt, fatigue and distraction.
While police will be out in force across the state — five priority areas including Yarra Ranges, Brimbank, Benalla, Casey and Cardinia and Geelong and the Surf Coast have been identified.
State Highway Patrol members will be supported by all available resources, including general duties police officers, the Solo Unit, Heavy Vehicle Unit, Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section (RPDAS), Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and the Operational Response Unit.
The Andrews Labor Government has invested $1.1 billion for a package for the Towards Zero strategy including improving roads and safety infrastructure on metropolitan and regional roads.
As part of the Government’s record $2 billion police investment, a further nine new alcohol and drug buses will be rolled out by early 2019 to give police greater flexibility to target locations across regional Victoria.
Police conducted 147,000 breath tests and tested thousands of motorists for drugs over the four-day Labour Day long weekend in March this year.
Operation Nexus will run until 11.59pm on Monday 2 April.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville
“Police will be out in force this Easter long weekend -- targeting drivers who are speeding, distracted and drug and alcohol impaired to reduce road trauma.”
“If you are tired and fatigued, stop and take a break – we want all Victorians to arrive home safely to their families as they travel across the state.”
“We don’t want to see any more lives lost on our roads because of those making poor choices when they get behind the wheel.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020