Tate Papworth
While the streets may have been quieter than usual over the Easter break, it didn’t translate to a quieter time for local police.
Across Melton, police issued fines for 63 speeding offences, seven unregistered vehicles, six seatbelt offences and impounded four vehicles.
Seven fines were also issued for disobeying signs/signals; five for unlicensed drivers; four for disqualified drivers; three for drug drivers and one for drink driving.
Among the offenders was a 32-year-old Avondale Heights motorcyclist, caught allegedly speeding at 123km/h in an 80km/h zone along the Calder Freeway, and again at 137km/h in a 50km/h zone in Diggers Rest.
Meanwhile, Moorabool police were also kept busy, issuing 53 infringement notices for speeding.
Fourteen fines were also issued for unregistered vehicles and one vehicle was impounded.
Three fines were issued for unlicensed drivers while one was issued for drug driving.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy said it was fortunate there had been no deaths resulting from irresponsible choices across the five days.
“We take comfort in the fact no one has died as a result of stupidity on our roads this weekend,” Assistant Commissioner Murphy said.
“But it’s this sort of reckless and selfish behaviour that can lead to a lifetime of grief for others.
“It can take a split second for excessive speed or impairment to eradicate a life.
“We can only hope – while these drivers live with the consequences of having their vehicles temporarily impounded, their licences removed or their day in court – that they realise this is the far better outcome.”
The blitz was part of Operation Nexus, which ran from Easter Thursday through to Easter Monday.
Across the state, there was a total of 8283 traffic and criminal offences detected throughout the operation, including 259 drug drivers, 124 drink drivers and 3610 speeding offences.
