Preventing death and serious injury among vulnerable road users is the focus of a new five-month Victoria Police operation.
Analysis shows vulnerable road users - comprising people walking and cycling as well as motorcyclists and e-scooter riders - accounted for almost half of all lives lost on the roads last year.
Victoria Police is also today detailing the hidden toll of injury among pedestrians and cyclists in particular.
There was last year about 1500 collisions where a pedestrian was injured and around 1200 where a cyclist was injured. These collisions were serious enough to require police attendance.
Operation Halo - one of Victoria Police's longest road policing operations staged - will see police focused on addressing the behaviour that leads to trauma among our most vulnerable road users.
This includes vehicles blocking bike lanes and pedestrian crossings as well as distraction offences, speed and impaired driving.
Officers will also be conducting roadworthy checks, especially for issues like defective brakes, bald tyres and illegal window tint which can make it difficult for a driver to see pedestrians and riders.
Police will be engaging with pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and e-scooter riders to ensure they are doing the right thing too so that everyone is sharing the roads safely.
Operation Halo will initially focus on four council areas - Melbourne, Yarra, Port Phillip and Merri-Bek - where there are a lot of people out walking and riding.
Victoria Walks, Bicycle Network Victoria and the Amy Gillett Foundation are also supporting the initiative, which will run until the end of September.
This period has been identified as an especially dangerous time for vulnerable road users because it's darker earlier and wintry weather can also impede visibility for motorists.
Victoria Police's State Highway Patrol, local Highway Patrols, Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section, Solo Unit and Bicycle Patrols are all involved.
There will be also police conducting foot patrols at high-risk intersections looking for any behaviour which puts vulnerable road users at risk.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads visit the Road Safety
page on the Victoria Police website.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir, Victoria Police Road Policing Command:
"This operation is about doing all we can to protect our most vulnerable road users.
"That's people walking and cycling and that's people on motorbikes and e-scooters.
"We are especially grateful to our council and advocacy partners which are supporting this initiative to improve road safety.
"Too many vulnerable road users are being killed or seriously injured and it's all too preventable.
"We all have a part to play in road safety.
"Victoria Police is in for the long-haul with this operation.
"We want everyone to think about not only their own safety but how their behaviour can impact the safety of others.
"Please, share the road safely."
