By JESSE GRAHAM
THE Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol has commended the behaviour of drivers over the double-long weekend period, where only around one in a thousand breath-tested drivers were found to be over the limit.
Over the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends, police from around the Yarra Ranges conducted a campaign addressing dangerous driver behaviour, from speeding to drink driving.
Around 13 people were caught drink driving over the two long weekends, with police conducting 10,105 preliminary breath tests (PBTs) throughout the Yarra Ranges.
This means that, for every 1000 drivers breath-tested, around one person was found to be driving with a blood alcohol content level above the limit.
Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol Sergeant John Morgan said police were happy with the results of the weekend, and added that drivers seemed to be behaving well during the notoriously dangerous period.
“There were a lot of people on the road, and I was on the road nearly every day – what I saw was that the driving was really good,” he said.
“Obviously, any drink driver we get is a shame and we don’t like it – we would hope that people are getting the message – but when you look at the entirety of the tests, you’ve got to be happy with that.”
He said there was an enormous amount of traffic going through the area, with around 6000 vehicles passing an automated number plate recognition system in just five hours.
Sgt Morgan noted that no fatal accidents or accidents resulting in life-threatening injuries took place in the area over the period, and said he hoped this was a result of signs advertising high-risk stretches of road.
Altogether, around 622 offences were recorded over the two long weekends, with 314 drivers and motorcyclists caught speeding more than 10 kilometres per hour over the limit.
Only one driver was caught using their mobile phone while driving, while 21 unlicensed drivers and 14 disqualified drivers were found behind the wheel.
Four cars were impounded, while 62 cars and motorcycles were found to be unregistered.
Sgt Morgan said that, in many cases, unregistered drivers spoken to by police officers had merely forgotten to pay their fees in recent days.
He said that the law, however, imposes heavy penalties on unregistered drivers, forgetful or not.
“Unfortunately for them, it’s a heavy mistake they made because it’s a heavy fine,” he said.
“The law is that, once you don’t pay on time, you’ll receive a fine – our hands are tied in that area.”
Sgt Morgan congratulated drivers in the area who did the right thing, and said he hoped that the lack of fatalities and serious injuries recorded could be maintained throughout the year.
As of Thursday 1 May, the road toll currently stands at 85, compared to 84 at the same time in 2013.
In the Yarra Ranges, the road toll for 2014 stands at five, up from three at the same time in 2013.
