THE weather’s warming up, the days are getting longer \u2014 and that can only mean one thing: spring is here, and so are the school holidays.<\/p>\n
With kids home for the next two weeks, it’s the perfect time to relax, recharge, and enjoy a well-earned break.<\/p>\n
At Victoria Police, the priority is to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable school holiday period as the final stretch of the year approaches.<\/p>\n
As always, this time of year brings an influx of holidaymakers to the beautiful regions of Geelong, the Surf Coast, and the Bellarine Peninsula \u2014 which also means more vehicles on the road.<\/p>\n
Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.<\/p>\n
“Driver fatigue accounts for about 20 per cent of fatal road collisions and 30 per cent of severe single vehicle cashes in rural areas,” Acting Senior Sergeant Stephen Bull said.<\/p>\n
“Take a 15-minute break at least every two hours and where possible share the driving.”<\/p>\n
Victoria Police remain committed to maintaining a strong presence on the state’s roads to deter and detect offending, helping to ensure you and your family arrive safely at your holiday destination.<\/p>\n
With the school holidays underway, the Geelong CBD is also expected to experience a significant increase in pedestrian traffic, as holidaymakers and families flock to enjoy the magnificent Geelong Waterfront and its surrounds.<\/p>\n
From September 1, and continuing well into 2026, members of Geelong Uniform will carry out targeted shift blitzes and operations in the Geelong CBD as part of the ‘Stop, Prop, Check’ initiative.<\/p>\n
“In combination with CCTV scanning, we will proactively patrol and scan the CBD for opportunities to make our community safer, including foot patrols, operations and targeted arrests to ensure our community is safe and feels safe,” Senior Sergeant Aaron Riches said.<\/p>\n
These operations aim to deter criminal activity in the Geelong CBD and enhance community safety, helping ensure a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for everyone to enjoy throughout the school holidays.<\/p>\n