Too many drivers steer into strife

POLICE detected more than 300 offences during a road operation on the Melton and Western highways.

In partnership with the Transport Accident Commission, Melton highway patrol conducted Operation Reduction 2 between April 4 and June 15. 

It aimed to improve driver behaviour in an area with high levels of road trauma.

A total of 275 drivers were apprehended for 315 offences, including 260 for speeding and eight for using a mobile phone. Four drivers were caught not wearing a seat belt, six had already had their licence disqualified, four were unlicensed and 11 were driving unregistered vehicles.

North-west inspector Simon Stevens said it was disappointing that drivers were still being caught breaking the law.

“We are here to help the community be safe on our roads and will continue to do so, but we really need the community’s support to achieve this long term,” he said.

“It’s not just about the police enforcing good driver behaviour. It’s about the community working with us and our partners such as the TAC, modifying their driving behaviour and assisting us all to reduce road trauma.”

TAC figures released last week showed fatalities had increased in Melton from three in 2010 to eight in 2012. Hospital admissions from car accidents fell from 72 in 2010 to 66 in 2012.