By NICOLE VALICEK
THE party is over for drivers who do the wrong thing on the roads over the holiday season.
Police in Hobsons Bay along with the Traffic Accident Commission (TAC) have joined a state-wide initiative to crackdown on risky driving as the community counts down to the festive season.
The launch of The Party’s Over campaign coincides with last week’s release of the TAC’s latest fatality and serious injury data showing year-on-year trends.
According to the data there have been three fatalities in the municipality in 2013 compared to one last year.
There were 11 claims involving acute hospitalisation over 14 days during 12 months to April 2013 compared to 10 in 2012.
And there was 50 claims involving acute hospitalisation admission in 2013, down from 55 in 2012.
Hobsons Bay Road Policing Advisor, Senior Sergeant Fiona Waters said the campaign was a reminder that the roads are not the place to party and will work in support of police operations cracking down on drug and alcohol-affected drivers this Christmas.
“The campaign will focus on alcohol screening and increased enforcement pertaining to distraction offences.”
These include the use of mobile phones, distraction by passengers or entertainment systems, GPS or social media devices.
“Irresponsible road users won’t be tolerated.
“If you drink or take drugs and drive, if you speed, drive unlicensed or an unregistered car the party’s over.”
Hobsons Bay police Inspector Richard Paterson said officers are actively targeting these offences.
“Recent collisions in Hobsons Bay have been attributed to these factors and I’ll be using our police resources to make our roads safer for all users,” Insp Paterson said.
“I want people to enjoy the festive season, but to do so in a safe environment.”
TAC CEO Janet Dore said December was traditionally one of the deadliest months on the state’s roads, making the campaign a timely reminder to be safe.
“Two hundred and ten people have died already this year and thousands more have been injured.
“We want to see Victorians keep safe on the roads for the rest of 2013,” Ms Dore said.
