THIRTY-THREE speeding drivers were among the 60-plus motorists charged on the Mornington Peninsula over the four-day Grand Final weekend.
Highway patrol officers and uniformed police participated in Operation Scoreboard, as thousands of holiday makers and day trippers flocked to the peninsula for the break.
Also nabbed were seven drivers who exceeded the blood alcohol limit, six disqualified drivers, two unlicensed drivers, three people for not obeying signs/signals, one drug-affected driver and seven people with unregistered vehicles.
Senior Sergeant Phil Huffey from Somerville Highway Patrol said the number of people caught breaking road rules was disappointing.
“It is certainly concerning in the lead-up to Christmas holidays that some continue to do the wrong thing on the roads,” he said.
“But it’s also a reminder that police will be out in force everywhere on the peninsula.”
Senior Sergeant Huffey said the long weekend was historically high risk in terms of road trauma, and drivers could not afford to become complacent.
“Police will be on the roads, and if you are going to partake in alcohol, you must organise alternative transport, whether that be a non-drinking mate or an Uber, just don’t drink and drive,” he said.
Across the state, more than 7000 offences were detected by Victoria Police during Operation Scoreboard.
The road policing operation saw police targeting high-risk driving behaviour, with a particular focus on speeding, impaired driving, and distraction.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 4 October 2022
