Police have issued a plea to road users throughout the region, urging them to take care and drive safely, over the Easter long weekend.
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Wimmera Proactive Policing Unit unit commander and acting senior sergeant Simon Grant said police were expecting this to be a very busy weekend on the roads.
"We are expecting higher than usual traffic volume than we would see at a relative time last year because of the lack of international travel," he said.
"So we are expecting more people to our region that will be holidaying in the Grampians and we are hoping that those people that do come to our neck of the woods will be driving within their abilities.
"People also need to be mindful of fatigue and road conditions.
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"We really want everyone to enjoy a safe and happy Easter rather, than a devastating one that we have seen in the past."
Good Friday in 2019 was a horror on Ararat roads with eight accidents recorded around the region.
In 2021 acting senior sergeant Grant said Victoria Police would be launching an operation aimed at keeping everyone safe this Easter.
"From April 1 we will be conducting Operation Nexus, which is a statewide operation that involves a higher than normal police presence on the road with high visibility policing," he said.
"There will also be preliminary testing sights for drugs and alcohol and there will also be a real focus on speed enforcement throughout the whole of the region.
"This operation will also make sure we are patrolling backroads just as often as some of the main thoroughfares."
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Acting senior sergeant Grant also noted that around the Grampians and Ararat drivers should remain aware of wildlife on the road.
"Particularly from around the Grampians, when people come from the city they are not aware of the higher levels of wildlife we have out our way," he said.
"They really need to be mindful of the road conditions and also the wildlife that are crossing the road.
"And that can be at any time of the day and can pose a real risk particularly to motorcyclists who can be impacted severely by the wildlife.
"So that is something we are hoping people will be aware of and take extra precautions around this weekend."
Acting Senior Sergeant Grant also wished everyone a safe and happy Easter and encouraged anyone in an emergency situation to contact 000 or if it is not an emergency, they should contact the police assistance line on 131 444.
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