There will be no warnings – if you do the wrong thing behind the wheel, expect to be targeted.
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That is the message from Bendigo police as they enter phase two of Operation Millet in an effort to reduce road trauma in central Victoria.
The first phase of the operation finished last week and saw more than 1000 motorists from the Western policing region fined or summonsed to court.
It focused on distraction offences, specifically drivers who used a mobile phone or other electronic device.
Acting Senior Sergeant Mick McCrann, of Bendigo Highway Patrol, said those offences were a significant factor in injury collisions.
“It’s disappointing that we still see the same factors in these crashes and I don’t think that motorists are able as yet in their mind to link that mobile phone use to the potential of serious injury or fatal collision,” Acting Senior Sergeant McCrann said.
“It’s often the emergency services that can see that direct link because we’re the ones delivering the death message or investigating those serious-injury collisions.”
More than 160 people received a court summons during the month-long operation and hundreds of others received penalty notices for offences such as using a mobile phone or not wearing a seat belt.
“The community knows our expectations in relation to using a mobile phone - it’s been spoken about again and again so there can’t be any misunderstanding,” Acting Senior Sergeant McCrann said.
“If you’re using a phone and driving a motor vehicle you’re putting yourself and others at risk.”
A 51-year-old Bendigo man will also be summonsed to appear in a Bendigo court after a multiple-vehicle crash involving a school bus in White Hills. The crash happened on the final day of the operation and Acting Senior Sergeant McCrann said police were investigating as to whether the man was using a GPS at the time of the crash.
Phase two of Operation Millet runs throughout June and all policing units will be on the look-out for motorists who fail to stop or obey traffic signals or signs.
“Ultimately we just want motorists to be aware, to think about their driving behavior and their safety when approaching intersections, whether they be controlled by traffic lights or signs,” Acting Senior Sergeant McCrann said.
“There will be no warnings given as these kind of offences put lives at risk.”