A weekend road safety blitz has seen the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and Victoria Police detect 450 offences on the Hume Freeway.
Operation Radihus saw regional and State Highway Patrol units join NHVR inspectors across the Wangaratta and Wodonga service areas to focus on road safety and road rule adherence along the Hume, with 118 heavy vehicle offences recorded.
The operation is a response to the loss of 17 lives on roads last year across the zone, eight in Wangaratta and nine in Wodonga. A further 169 people suffered serious injuries from motor vehicle collisions in the region.
Taking place on March 21 and 22, the enforcement officers established two major checkpoints at Glenrowan Rest Area and Bentons Hill Rest Area, conducting heavy vehicle inspections, drug and alcohol testing and compliance checks.
Out of the 4900 preliminary breath tests and 584 roadside drug tests, three drink driving and 19 drug driving offences were detected, while 17 drivers were clocked travelling more than 25km/h over the legal speed limit.
The total 450 offences detected during the operation include 136 speeding offences, 118 heavy vehicle offences, 69 defect notices, 28 unregistered vehicles, 13 disqualified and unlicenced drivers and three vehicle impoundments.
Police also arrested people for offences such as possession of illict drugs and weapons.
“Operation Radihus was a great opportunity to team up with our partners, combining our resources and expertise to achieve a common goal of ensuring all road users reach their destination safely,” NHVR acting director of southern region Stephen Bryers says.
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“Over the course of the two days, NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers carried out roadside checks on heavy vehicles, focusing on issues such as fatigue and mechanical defects, while also providing education and advice to drivers where needed.
“This joint effort highlights the importance of a united approach in promoting safety on our roads – by working together with our partners, we can better target high-risk vehicles, ensure compliance, and ultimately, save lives.”
Wangaratta local aera commander Inspector Ash Mason says the number of speeding and impaired drivers detected was “incredibly disappointing”.
“Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol are not only breaking the law, but they’re also making a choice that puts everyone around them in danger,” Mason says.
“Behind every serious crash is a family left grieving or a person living with life-changing injuries. These aren’t just numbers – they’re real people whose lives have been shattered. We’re doing everything we can to prevent further tragedies.
“We’re seeing too many crashes happening involving local people on local roads. It shows how quickly complacency can turn deadly. People let their guard down in places they know well, and that’s when the mistakes happen.
“What’s especially concerning is that many of the serious collisions we’re seeing are the result of small, avoidable errors – speeding just a little, failing to wear a seatbelt, or missing a stop sign. These seemingly minor lapses are having devastating consequences.”
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