Local police are warning motorists to cut down on momentary lapses while driving, as new data shows one small slip up has led to hundreds of lives lost on Victorian roads this year.
Operation Furlong will run across the next five days, with the latest police blitz to have a significant focus on speeding and distracted drivers across the region.
Distracted driving can come in many forms from fatigue, mobile phone use and inattention, which will be a key focus for police.
Wangaratta Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant David Gillespie said local officers were seeing a disturbing trend in drivers who were failing to keep left of centre, resulting in serious collisions.
“For the oncoming motorcyclists, who we know use our roads a lot this time of year, that's absolutely life threatening,” he said.
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“Driving on rural roads for an extended period is actually very fatiguing and a lot of people underestimate how fatigued they're going to be when they get to their destination.
”We want people to start planning their trips… stay in your lane and stay alive on the roads.”
New police data has revealed motorists being killed in head-on collisions is on the rise in the North East and across the state.
More than 60 per cent of fatalities so far this year in Victoria resulted from single acts of non-compliance – also referred to as one-off incidences or basic driving errors – rather than extreme driving behaviour.
Notably, there has been a 75 per cent increase in lives lost due to a single act of non-compliance involving a head on collision with another vehicle, with failing to keep left the most common factor.
Head-on fatalities are most frequent during the afternoon from 2pm–6pm and on rural roads with a speed limit of 100km/h.
Snr Sgt Gillespie said low level speeding also continued to trend in collisions in the North East.
“Having a collision is unforgivable in many ways and can be lifelong,” he said.
“You've got to really give intersections the respect they deserve up here, particularly in the rural environment.”
Snr Sgt Gillespie urged motorists to undertake driving responsibly and treat it with the respect it deserves and needs.
“We keep asking people to start those long weekends to be safe, but we are continually seeing people are making decisions which are easily avoidable,” he said.
“Unfortunately there's a lot of families across Victoria who are going to be without loved ones, we need to spare a thought for these people who are really hurting.
”We are wanting everyone to enjoy the long weekend, get to their destination safely and not be involved in any road trauma.”
With the number of lives lost on Victorian roads 18 higher than at the same time last year, police are warning motorists to remain alert and cautious behind the wheel, particularly when travelling on rural roads.
Operation Furlong commences at 12:01am on Friday, 31 October and concludes at 11:59pm on Tuesday, 4 November.
