Police are calling on drivers to take extra caution behind the wheel this month, as March continues to be the most dangerous period on Victorian roads.
The appeal comes as police launch Operation Arid on Friday, a statewide road policing effort targeting high-risk driving and traffic offences across the Labour Day long weekend.
The operation aims to curb dangerous driving behaviour and prevent serious injuries and fatalities.
Although March is widely recognised for its packed calendar of major events, festivals and sporting fixtures across metropolitan and regional Victoria, it has also historically recorded the highest levels of road trauma in the state.
March recorded the highest number of collisions in 2025, with more than 1,600 collisions resulting in injuries across the month - 23 of which were fatal.
Collisions in March peaked over Labour Day weekend, increasing 15 per cent on the same period the previous year.
Warrnambool, Surf Coast, Bass Coast and East Gippsland recorded the highest number of collisions over Labour Day weekend in regional Victoria, while Mornington Peninsula and the Yarra Ranges topped the list for collisions across metropolitan Melbourne.
March has remained the worst month for injury collisions over the five-year average.
Injury collisions where speed or fatigue was a factor, or involving motorcyclists (both on and off-road riding), cyclists or e-rideables, have all historically peaked in March.
Injury collisions involving drink or drug driving, and road users including heavy vehicles and pedestrians are also at increased risk during the month.
These high-risk behaviours and locations will be key areas of focus during this weekend's Operation Arid.
Police are warning motorists there will be zero tolerance for poor driving and dangerous behaviour, with state and local highway patrols to be highly visible and enforcing across the state's roads.
Motorists can expect to be anywhere, anytime for alcohol and drugs, with police to conduct widespread testing, focusing on major events being held across the state.
Rear end collisions were the most common collision type over Labour Day weekend last year, with police urging motorists to avoid being complacent behind the wheel.
Operation Arid commences at 12:01am on Friday 6 March and concludes at 11:59pm on Monday 9 March 2025.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads this long weekend, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.
Quotes attributable to Road Policing Acting Assistant Commissioner, Justin Goldsmith:
"March continues to be associated with road trauma - and we need to put a stop to it.
"We don't want to see another month with record numbers of collisions, so police will have a major presence on the state's roads this long weekend to ensure we don't have a repeat of this.
"We'll be targeting those high-risk behaviours and locations, and prioritising at-risk road users to ensure safety is paramount and everyone is adhering to the road rules.
"However, enforcement is only one aspect, and we need all road users to consciously contribute to making the roads safer.
"It only takes one second of distraction or to make a basic driving error that results in a collision, so we're urging everyone to focus on their driving and remain alert behind the wheel.
"Be patient and allow plenty of travel time - it's going to be a busy weekend across the state's roads, and we want to ensure everyone reaches their destination safely."
