Cobram police are patrolling Moira Shire’s roads and highways as a part of Operation Compass.
Operation Compass is running statewide in two phases, the first from October 29 to November 2 and the second from Friday, November 5, to Sunday, November 7.
With travel restrictions between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria lifted, police are anticipating an influx of travel to regional areas.
Assistant Commissioner Road Policing Glenn Weir said increased traffic combined with long hours could be dangerous.
“Victorians have done a fantastic job in the fight against COVID-19. But it’s no good surviving the pandemic if you end up dead or seriously injured in a car crash,” Asst Comm Weir said.
“The coming fortnight is a perfect storm on our roads. Many of us haven’t driven long distances for months. Our skills have deteriorated and there’s going to be an enormous amount of traffic as people escape the city and head to regional Victoria.
“Victoria Police will be going all out to keep people safe. You will see highway patrol cars, you will see drug and alcohol buses, you will see our motorbikes and you will see our frontline patrol units.
“Please, help us make this time memorable for all the right reasons. Road trauma is preventable, and we don’t want to see anybody else become an unnecessary statistic.”
Eleven lives were lost on Victorian roads last year when lockdown lifted and police are determined to avoid a repeat.
There have already been 190 lives lost on Victorian roads in 2021, which is trending well above the same time last year (178).
Following the recent easing of restrictions in regional Victoria there were at least four fatal collisions in five days and several injury collisions where drink driving was suspected.
Police are urging Victorians enjoying end of lockdown celebrations to think twice before drinking and getting behind the wheel.