More than 15 people have died on Australian roads in the past week with many those in New South Wales and Victoria.
Victoria Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Justin Goldsmith said there was an “increased risk” of a serious incident over the holiday period.
“It is a high-risk day because a lot of people in Melbourne are making a mass exodus into Victoria and around the state,” he told Today.
Police are currently out in force as part of Operation Roadwise to target people who are hitting the road during the holiday period.
The state’s road toll is 236 this year, up from 224 in 2021.
“Unfortunately we have been operating Operation Roadwise in the last 10 days and we have seen six people lose their lives from the 16th and Boxing Day,” he said.
Goldsmith said police have also been focusing on mobile phone use.
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“It’s a huge concern, because that’s clearly a conscious decision you make to use your mobile phone,” he said.
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“That’s not something you make an inadvertent mistake about. We are targeting mobile phone use and impairment and speed throughout this operation.”
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said it has been a “really successful” strategy.
“There is a lot more increased traffic on the roads at this time of year but we still have individuals that put themselves at risk, put road users at risk and we will be doing everything we can to interfere with them,” he told Today.
McFadden warned people engaging in short and long trips to take their time, with sunny weather expected over the next few days.
Drink driving on the rise in Queensland
Over the past few days, police have identified 1-in-55 people drink driving, according to Queensland Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Stream.
“Over the Christmas weekend, we have seen heavy traffic conditions, both north and south of Brisbane and around other tourist areas we have also seen increased traffic levels,” he told Today.
“Unfortunately what we are also seeing is, when conducting tests for impaired driving – that’s drink and drug driving – we have detected a number of drivers and that’s extremely disappointing.”
“Unfortunately we have seen a couple of fatality accidents and also some very, very serious injury traffic accidents as well,” Stream said.
