Extra patrols to target Surf Coast summer traffic

POLICE across the Surf Coast will step up efforts to reduce road trauma over summer, as the region braces for an influx of visitors during the holiday period.

With populations expected to swell with families and holidaymakers, ensuring everyone reaches their destination safely remains a top priority for local police.

Torquay Police Senior Sergeant Adrian Bickley said a dedicated traffic car would operate as part of Operation Coast Roads throughout summer.

“Members that work that unit have a primary role in regards to focusing on driver behaviour on our local roads, which will include the Great Ocean Road and the feeder roads that run into that.

“The whole idea will basically be flooding the Surf Coast area with police over the summer. You’ll see us, we’ll see you, make sure you behave.”

Local police will be supported by the Geelong Highway Patrol, with officers targeting high-risk behaviour on busy roads.

Driver distraction, particularly mobile phone use, remains a major concern.

“The moment you take your eyes off the road and you start looking at your phone because you’ve got a text message, means you’re driving a one-tonne vehicle in a direction that you’re not sure of anymore because you’re not looking out the windscreen,” Snr Sgt Bickley said.

“Speed and fatigue are constants over the summer period; people rushing to get to places, tired because they got up early, and they haven’t had a lot of sleep.”

Police are also concerned about complacency among local drivers, with familiarity on roads often contributing to mistakes.

Extra patrols will be deployed across the region, including along tourist routes, as police work to prevent serious injuries and fatalities.

Planning for New Year’s celebrations has also been a top priority, with extra police allocated to Torquay, Anglesea and Lorne.

Snr Sgt Bickley said last year’s celebrations passed with minimal incidents and police were hoping for a repeat.

He also urged parents to speak with their children about responsible behaviour, particularly around alcohol.

“Know where your kids are. I have had to make calls in the past to parents to explain their child has been assaulted and is being taken to hospital, and it is not a call I enjoy having to make,” Snr Sgt Bickley said.

He encouraged people to consider their actions before getting behind the wheel.

“I hope and wish everybody on the Surf Coast to have a safe Christmas and a happy new year,” Snr Sgt Bickley said.

“But, remember that if you do stretch it, if you do drink heavily the night before going to a celebration and then drive the next day, remember that you could still be over the legal limit and there’s a good chance that you may get caught.”