Top traffic cop urges Victorians to ditch car for public transport

04 Dec 2009

MEDIA RELEASE: 4 December 2009

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Ken Lay is urging Victorians to catch public transport in the TAC's latest Christmas enforcement advertisement that goes to air tonight. The ad also features the latest results of Victoria Police's enforcement operation which began on 20 November.

"Instead of taking the risk of wrecking someone's Christmas by driving drink or drug impaired, I urge Victorians to travel on trains, trams, buses or taxis. It's simply not worth the risk of hurting someone or getting caught," Deputy Commissioner Lay said. 

The push to use public transport follows the release of alarming results from the first two weeks of Operation Raid that revealed Victorian motorists account for more than half the number of Australian drivers caught drink driving.

Victoria Police has undertaken a coordinated enforcement operation across the state through Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) and the results so far include:

• Over 237,000 breath tests with over 830 drivers caught drink driving
• Over 1,000 drug tests so far with 35 people charged for drug driving
• Over 4,300 drivers nabbed for speeding
• Around 1,100 drivers caught not wearing a seatbelt
• Around 1,250 people removed from the roads for driving unlicensed or while suspended or disqualified

TAC Executive Manager of Community Relations, Mr Phil Reed said that the TAC would continue to warn drivers that they will be caught before someone gets hurt.

"As we head into the busy festive season, the TAC will continue to urge people to take care on our roads and to look at other transport options."

If you do choose to be a bloody idiot by driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol, you will undoubtedly be caught by Victoria Police," Mr Reed said.

Operation Raid takes place until midnight Sunday 12 December with Operation Aegis to follow until 3 January 2010. Both operations mean that there will be more police on the roads conducting random breath tests and drug tests.

Deputy Commissioner Lay said, "The results so far highlight the high chance you have of getting caught if you do choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs."

"In the latest TAC ad that airs tonight, my message to Victorians is to enjoy yourselves this Christmas but just don't drive afterwards because we will catch you before someone gets hurt."

Between 18 November and 25 December 2008, there were 38 deaths on Victoria's roads.

The 2009 road toll at midday on 3 December 2009 stood at 268, compared with 278 at the same time last year.
For further information contact Amanda Bavin, TAC Senior Communications and Media Adviser on 5225 6591, 0439 567 249.

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