VICTORIA Police have released the report of Operation Nexus, which detected an alarming 8238 traffic offences across the state over the Easter long weekend.

The operation targeted dangerous and reckless behaviour on roads across the state during a traditionally high-risk period.

Over the five-day operation, it was reported that 3691 Victorians were caught speeding, with over 400 people clocked travelling more than 25km/h over the speed limit.

On top of this, 378 impaired drivers were taken off the roads for getting behind the wheel with alcohol or drugs in their system.

231 of these drivers were caught drink driving from 137,763 preliminary breath tests - a strike rate of 1 in 596.

The remaining 147 drug drivers were caught from 2878 roadside drug tests - one in 20 tests were positive.

Additionally, 283 people were intercepted while driving and using their mobile phones, and 147 seat belt offences were reported.

Victoria Police also said that 1200 people were detected driving unlicensed or unregistered vehicles.

Hamilton Highway Patrol Sergeant, Darren Smart said that the Highway Patrol were out every day conducting drug and alcohol testing, as well as checking for general offences such as speeding.

“There was a lot of traffic, up to Robe and Rocklands,” he said.

“We detected quite a few, mostly speeding, that is usually a high offence.”

Sgt Smart said that most offences detected in Hamilton from the operation were not from locals, and instead from drivers passing through.

“Fatigue was a main thing, it’s a long way to Robe for people travelling from Melbourne,” he said.

“We didn’t detect any drink drivers, but we did catch one drug driver.

“It was disappointing that there were people drug driving on our roads, but we were glad it was only the one.

“Thankfully, there was no road trauma over the Easter weekend (locally), which is always the goal, and is always fantastic.”

Unfortunately, there were three deaths recorded on Victorian roads over the long weekend, bringing this year’s total lives lost to 73, compared with 82 at the same time last year.

This included two separate motorbike accidents in Oakleigh South and Gordon where it’s believed the riders lost control of their bikes.

A third man was killed alongside his dog, while standing near his vehicle, in a tragic accident near Morwell.

Victoria Police road policing assistant commissioner, Glenn Weir said that the operation’s alarming results should warn motorists of the dangers of impaired driving, which can be caught by police at any time. 

“In the lead up to Easter, we were concerned a number of people would drive impaired over the Easter period and sadly, that became a reality,” he said.

“And to see people combining alcohol and speed is terrifying, putting not only their lives but the lives of others at serious risk.

“We saw two separate occasions of people overloading their cars, with children, then driving impaired.

“This is complete idiocy and it’s lucky none of those children were killed or injured.

“The Easter long weekend has finished but we will continue to be on our roads, anytime, anywhere.”