Police are urging all road users to put safety first after a tragic start to 2019.
Twenty two lives have been lost on Victoria's roads so far this year, compared to 16 at the same time last year.
The 2019 figure includes five lives lost during the four days of the Australia Day long weekend road policing operation, which concluded last night.
Police detected more than 6500 traffic offences during Operation Amity, including more than 2200 for speeding and 371 for drink and drug driving.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane said it was disappointing to see so many road users putting themselves and others at risk.
"We all know that speed and impairment are among the biggest killers on our roads, so it's astounding to see so many motorists exceeding the speed limit or driving after drinking or using drugs.
"Last year saw a record low number of lives lost in Victoria, with 214, but the tragic start to 2019 shows that we can't afford to be complacent.
"Just this weekend, five families have been left devastated by the loss of a loved one, as have another 17 families since the start of the year.
"My condolences go to all those who have experienced the tragedy of road trauma."
Assistant Commissioner Leane said the community needs to have a serious conversation about the responsibility each of us has for preventing death and serious injury on our roads.
"We all have a part to play in reducing road trauma, whether that's avoiding behaviours that increase risk, such as speeding or impairment, or speaking up when someone is putting themselves or others in danger.
"A good starting point might be for everyone to understand that road trauma isn't just something that happens to other people.
"It is unlikely there is anyone in Victoria, or anywhere else, who doesn't know someone who has lost their life or been seriously injured on our roads.
"It can and does happen to people who are close to you and it can happen to you, too, so we all need to look after each other on our roads."
Operation Amity ran from 12.01am, Friday, 25 January to 11.59pm Monday 28 January.
A selection of traffic offences detected include:
206 drink drive offences
165 drug drive offences
159 Disqualified/Suspended Drivers
232 Unlicensed Drivers
626 Unregistered Vehicles
2,269 Speeding Offences
261 Mobile Phone Offences
360 Disobey Signs/Signals
96 Vehicle Impounds
149 Seat Belt Offences
