TRAVELLERS can expect to see an increased police presence across the weekend's roads this weekend as police undertake a four day blitz.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Operation Argus will will be carried out statewide, starting September 5 at 12.01am and concluding September 8 at 11.59pm.
Victoria Police set the operation up in direct response to the high road toll this year.
So far 191 people have died on Victorian roads, compared with 133 fatalities in 2018 to the same date.
This is the highest figure since 2016, which recorded 201 lives lost.
The five year average is 170 lives lost.
Police in the Northern Grampians Highway Patrol will focus on fatigue and other issues common on regional roads.
"Fatigue covers alcohol and drug driving, seat belts, speed, and the normal daily road use of drivers and their behaviour," Senior Constable Jason Brown said.
Speeding was a big problem on the region's major highways, Senior Constable Brown said.
"We're seeing excessive speed," he said. "It's one of the major factors, especially on the Western Highway.
"There are a lot of interstate drivers that we find are mostly offending."
However, collisions tended to involve local people just as frequently as visitors.
"A lot of the collisions are mainly people close to home," Senior Constable Brown said
"Fatigue is a big issue we find as well."
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane said there would also be a heavy emphasis on motorcycle safety.
"As we head into spring we expect riders to start getting their bikes out the garage and making the most of the warmer weather," AC Leane said.
"We don't want to see a repeat of the beginning of the year, where too many people never finished their ride."
Senior Constable Brown said drivers will see a "higher presence of police" over the weekend.
"All resources from Highway Patrol to operational and uniform are going to be flooding the roads," he said.
The Northern Grampians Highway Patrol has been loaned a special police vehicle to help with the operation - an M5 twin turbo V8 BMW.
Senior Constable Brown said the car was shared around the state between policing units.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday morning from The Ararat Advertiser. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Ararat shire, sign up here.