By JESSE GRAHAM
HUNDREDS of drivers flouting the law in the valley over the Easter long weekend were busted by police, after officers swarmed onto the roads for Operation Crossroads.
The operation ran for five days over the Easter long weekend earlier this month, in an attempt by Victoria Police to address high levels of road trauma in the holiday periods.
In the Yarra Ranges Police Service Area (PSA) alone, 211 drivers were caught speeding, while 57 unregistered vehicles were detected.
Police caught four people driving with drugs in their system over the weekend and seven driving while over the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit of .05 per cent for fully-licensed drivers or .00 per cent for learner drivers or P-platers.
Warburton police Senior Constable Rob Firns told the Mail that two of these drink-drivers were caught in the Upper Yarra area, both driving with over twice the legal limit of alcohol in their systems.
“They will face court, and they are facing in vicinity of 10-12 months loss of licence, as well as potentially a significant fine,” he said.
Despite the odd driver caught flouting the law, Sen Const Firns said police were pleased with the behaviour of most drivers in the area.
One car was impounded during the operation in the Yarra Ranges, while three people were caught using their phones while driving – 22 drivers were found to be driving unlicensed, five were found to be driving while disqualified or suspended and 12 were caught disobeying signs or traffic signals.
Statewide, over 12,000 offences were detected in Operation Crossroads, with speeding drivers (4895 caught) and unregistered vehicles (1268 detected) making up more than half of that number.
On Victoria’s roads, four people also lost their lives over the Easter long weekend.
As of Friday 10 April, the road toll stands at 77 deaths since 1 January – one death less than the same time last year.
