Rising rural road toll prompts long-weekend police blitz

Victoria Police says it will target high-risk driving over the Labour Day long weekend in an effort to reduce the surging road toll in regional areas, which it has named Operation Arid.

Starting today (Friday 10 March 2023), police will also be on the lookout for minor forms of 'non-compliance' – small actions that can have catastrophic consequences.

Something as simple as not checking for a vehicle in a blind spot before changing lanes can have fatal results – particularly if it involves a motorcycle or truck.

Victoria has recorded 68 road-related deaths in the first 66 days of 2023 – 42 of which were in regional areas.

The current road toll represents a 45 per cent increase compared to the five-year average – and a 57 per cent increase for rural areas – due to 18 more deaths than the same time last year.

MORE: Regional roads accounted for two-thirds of Australia’s 2022 road toll

Historical data shows this month has previously been the most dangerous for drivers, with the highest number of lives lost in a month on Victoria's roads for the past five years occurring in March.

"It’s been a shocking start to the year on our roads – particularly on our rural roads. However a lot of the trauma we’re experiencing, particularly those single-vehicle fatal collisions, is tragically avoidable," Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, Glenn Weir said in a media statement.

"It’s up to all of us to turn this around and while police will be out enforcing at every opportunity, we cannot achieve this alone," he said.

"We need everyone to play their part and that means getting back to basics behind the wheel – slow down, put down the mobile phone and pay attention to road signs, other road users and surroundings."