By YASEMIN TALAT
POLICE have flooded freeways across Melbourne as part of an ongoing operation to reduce dangerous driving in the lead up to Easter.
Operation Horizon kicked off last week with police scanning roads during peak hour times to ensure safety for all commuters.
Roads to be targeted include the Western Ring Road, Calder Freeway, Princess Freeway, Tullamarine Freeway, Hume Freeway, EastLink, Monash Freeway, Eastern Freeway and the Geelong Ring Road.
“During Operation Horizon, people can expect to see a strong police presence on our roads,” said Acting Superintendent David Griffin.
Acting Superintendent Griffin said the heavy volumes of traffic on major arterial roads, combined with impatience, sometimes led to drivers taking unnecessary and unacceptable risks.
“During the peak hour rush, people are often in a hurry, creating unnecessary stress and a sense of panic that causes errors in judgement,” he said.
“We’ve had an horrendous start to the year and the last thing we need is more tragedy on our roads, particularly leading into the Easter and Anzac Day periods, which are critical periods for the community in terms of road trauma risk,” he said.
Acting Superintendent Griffin said peak hours were high risk periods when many crashes occurred and he warned motorists to keep patient on the roads.
“People who have not planned their journey properly, or who are running late for work, can become impatient and are more inclined to take shortcuts or engage in risky behaviour to try to make it to their destination on time,” he said.
“Tailgating and using technology while driving are also common offences we see during these times,” he said.
“We are asking people to take a deep breath, slow down and ensure they arrive at their destination safely.
“Running late for work or being in a hurry to get home is no excuse for doing the wrong thing.”
At the time of publication the road toll was 65, higher than the road toll from this time last year, which was 59.
Operation Horizon will run until 11 April.
