A weekend of double demerit points has not deterred some drivers from risky road behaviours in our area.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Sunday April 21, about 9pm, a 27-year-old man was stopped by police for driving at 173km/h in a 110km/h zone on the Hume Highway at Breadalbane.
His licence was suspended for six months and police issued an infringement for driving 45kp/h over the speed limit.
In the Hume Police District, 338 drivers were caught driving above the speed limit and there were five seat belt offences.
Operation Tortoise, the state's Easter long-weekend road-safety operation, started at 12.01am on April 18 and concluded at 11.59am on April 22.
"Easter is one of the busiest times on the roads... and while most drivers do the right thing it is disappointing that there are still some drivers prepared to risk the lives of others by travelling well above the speed limit," local Highway Patrol Sergeant Stephen Pidgeon said.
Across the state, drink driving was a major issue during this year's operation. "So far officers have conducted more than 250,000 breath tests," said Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy.
"With 228 people charged with drink driving offences, we are past the point of being disappointed, we are now angry that drivers are not listening to our warnings.
"The message is clearly still not getting through and I fear that for many of the drivers and riders out there, it may only sink in after it's too late," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
In the Hume Police District officers conducted 11,009 breath tests.
