Road safety and public order the focus for long weekend

Victoria Police will increase its presence throughout the region this weekend as part of Operation Amity. Photo: ELLIE CLARINGBOLD

AS THE region gears up for a long weekend of mega events, community members are being asked to remain patient in the face of road closures and increased traffic.

This weekend Geelong will host the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and world-class sailing regatta, the Festival of Sails.

More than 100,000 people are expected to attend.

Throughout the weekend there will be both rolling and fixed road closures, with diversions in place.

Road users should anticipate delays of up to 20 minutes through the Surf Coast and Bellarine loops of the road race when the cyclists pass through once each day. Through the Geelong circuit, access will only be open to local traffic.

Geelong Acting Superintendent Peter Nichols said the public can expect an increase in police presence throughout the weekend as part of Operation Amity’s focus on road safety and public order.

“We’ll be focused on speeding drivers [and] drink and drug taking drivers,” he said.

“What we’re asking is for the members of the public to show a bit of patience.”

The superintendent warned community members to prepare for increased traffic, particularly on Sunday afternoon, and encouraged road users to “slow down” and “respect each other”.

“Make sure you arrive safety at those locations where you’re intending to go, whether it’s going home or going to an event somewhere across the area,” he said. Extra units will also be deployed to the region’s licenced premises and along Geelong’s foreshore.

“It’s just about enjoying yourself but enjoying yourself safety.”

Superintendent Nichols said the behaviour in recent years had been “really positive”.

“It’s a real community focus with community events right across the whole division.”

“But there is an impact and it test people’s patience.”

More than 26 people have been killed on the roads across the Barwon South West region in the last 12 months.

“Unfortunately, we have lost lives on our roads across Victoria.

“It’s continual message for us around road safety.

“We’ll be out there.”