By Ewen McRae
A recent two-day blitz of Melton roads detected nearly 100 offences and resulted in multiple arrests.
The operation teamed Melton Highway Patrol with their Brimbank counterparts to target traffic offences in response to the poor start to the year’s road toll.
There have been 79 lives lost on Victorian roads this year, up more than 43 per cent on the same time in 2018.
The operation began on March 22 and targeted the Melton township and surrounding freeways and back roads.
In all, 91 offences were detected from 73 offending drivers, including three positive drug tests, seven unlicensed or learner drivers, and 16 speeding drivers.
One driver was detected more than 25km/h over the limit.
Three people were arrested, with eight outstanding warrants executed, one person was remanded into custody and six people will receive a summons to attend court.
There were 20 drivers caught using their mobile phone while driving, while a dozen people were also caught with seatbelt offences.
Meanwhile, the use of false number plates is on the rise in Brimbank and Melton, police are warning.
In one incident, police spotted a car driving at double the speed limit in Melton while displaying fake plates on March 23.
Police said the unlicensed driver, a 20-year-old man, was arrested after allegedly ramming a police car. The man is facing charges of exposing an emergency worker to danger with a vehicle.
