Operation Roadsafe underway over Christmas

Leading Senior Constatble Sahin Sahinkaya in Sunshine. Photo by Kristian Scott

Police are out in force to cut the Christmas carnage on Brimbank roads.

Motorists can expect more highway patrols and roadside checks as Keilor Downs and Sunshine police step up their efforts to catch speedsters, put alcohol and drug impaired drivers off the roads, clamp down on those using mobile phones, pick up drowsy drivers and enforce seatbelt laws.

Brimbank Inspector Dallas Normington said the statewide Operation Roadwise kicked off on Friday and would be enforced for 24 days, ending on January 8.

He said police would be focusing on people coming home from Christmas parties and work functions.

“We’ll be targeting drivers who attend end of year work functions … there is a risk that some drivers will take risks while they are impaired by alcohol or drugs,” he said.

Police will be patrolling roads in marked and unmarked cars, and will specifically target major arterial routes.

“Our message is about being safe in the car, and encouraging people to take time reaching their destination,” Inspector Normington said.

“Road trauma isn’t just about the people who die, it’s about the enormous impact on the community, from the family members to the emergency services workers who have to deal with these tragedies on a daily basis, to police who have to deliver devastating news to loved ones,” he said.