General News
1 November, 2025
Stay aware, stay safe this Cup weekend
VICTORIA Police are ramping up patrols across the state ahead of the Melbourne Cup long weekend, launching Operation Furlong to tackle some of the region’s most dangerous driving behaviour. The statewide road safety blitz begins at 12:01am on Friday, October 31, and runs through until 11:59pm on Tuesday, November 4. With 243 lives already lost on Victorian roads this year, including 81 in the Western Region alone, police say they are determined to curb risky driving over the busy travel period.
Acting Sergeant Jason Brown said the figure is deeply concerning.
“That’s 15 more than this time last year,” he said.
“Police will have a physical presence and will be enforcing road laws. We are targeting impaired driving, drugs and alcohol, as well as speed, fatigue, distracted driving and seatbelt offences.”
Sergeant Brown said the operation would coincide with the Melbourne Cup long weekend, when many Victorians take advantage of the extra day off to travel.
“We find a lot of people take the extended long weekend. You will see that there will be a lot of travel going into the region,” he said.
Victoria Police have noted a significant increase in head-on collisions this year, many of them fatal.
Police are urging drivers to remain vigilant, particularly when travelling on rural roads and during the afternoon peak between 2pm and 6pm, when these crashes most often occur.
“We just want to make people aware, if you are travelling long distances, make sure you have a stop, have a cup of coffee,” Sergeant Brown said.
His message to motorists is simple: plan ahead.
“If you are going to drink, make sure you get a designated driver,” he said.
Drivers towing caravans are also being reminded to check their vehicles’ weight and overhang limits and ensure everything is roadworthy before setting off.
Police hope the operation will not only enforce the law but remind drivers that every decision behind the wheel can make the difference between life and death.