Victoria Police is warning motorists to take extra care on the roads this Easter with three fatal collisions already recorded in first three days of April.
Operation Nexus, launching at midnight on Thursday, will see police ramp up enforcement across the state in an effort to reduce road trauma.
It follows a shocking start to the year which saw 37 lives lost on Victorian roads in January, one of the worst months in recent years.
So far this year there have been 87 lives lost statewide, up 33 per cent on last year. The three fatal collisions this month were in Beaconsfield, Chirnside Park and South Geelong.
Easter is a particularly high-risk period on the roads with 11 lives lost over the last five Easter long weekends.
Police are preparing for widespread travel across the state and will be targeting areas deemed high risk.
Major arterials and roads leading to regional Victoria and holiday hotspots will be a particular focus following a spike in deaths. Deaths on rural roads make up 60 per cent of this year's overall fatalities.
Police issued more than 8000 infringements over a five-day Easter operation last year and will again be on the lookout for speeding as well as distracted and impaired drivers.
Motorists are encouraged to use VICSES Driver Reviver sites across the state to manage fatigue on longer trips.
Operation Nexus commences at 12:01am Thursday 6 April and will conclude at 23:59pm on Monday 10 April 2023.
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 Road Policing, Glenn Weir:
"Easter is a high-risk period on our roads - it's a major holiday weekend that attracts significant travel across the state.
"There have been 11 lives lost on Victorian roads over the last five Easter periods - that's 11 lives tragically cut short, instead of enjoying Easter with their families, friends and loved ones.
"It's been a tragic start to the year, with 87 lives lost, up 33 per cent on last year. Already this month we've seen three lives lost in the first three days.
"We'll be doing everything we can to drive down road trauma this Easter - Operation Nexus will see our members highly visible and enforcing across the state.
"With so many lives lost on rural roads this year, we'll be particularly focused on the major arterials leading to regional Victoria and popular holiday hotspots.
"Last year we issued almost 8000 infringements and conducted more than 107,000 alcohol and drug tests so this year motorists should definitely expect to see police and expect to be tested."
