While the Easter break has now ended, motorists are reminded that police will continue to target risk-taking driver behaviour to help keep our road networks safe.

Acting Inspector Justin Lawson said that almost 7500 drivers were breath tested during Operation Safe Arrival over the Easter break, with 37 people charged with drink driving offences.  A further 43 people were apprehended for driving with illicit drugs in their system.   Other offences identified include 12 people using mobile phones,  7 people not wearing seatbelts and 417 people charged with speeding (not including speed camera detections).

“Sadly, one person died in a crash on the Bass Highway near Exton on Easter Monday. A further 5 crashes occurred, resulting in serious injuries. 

“As always, our thoughts are with the affected family and loved ones, as well as those emergency service personnel who attended the scene,” Acting Inspector Lawson said.

“Our focus is in the name, Safe Arrival.  Any fatality or serious injury is a terrible and unacceptable outcome, and we will continue to do our part to support safe driving behaviour on our roads during 2024.”

Importantly, keeping road users safe is a mission for the whole community – not just police. 

“Road safety is a partnership between the community and police, however we will intervene due to inattentiveness or poor decision-making that places road users at risk.  We all make mistakes, but our message is consistent – concentrate on the driving task, give yourself time and space, and arrive safely at your destination,” Acting Inspector Lawson said.

“We have a community evidence portal on our website, where members of the public can submit footage of dangerous driving incidents to us for investigation.   We urge everyone to obey the rules, be patient on the roads, and get to their destination safely.”