Police will be dispelling some of the most common myths about speeding as they engage with drivers during an ANZAC Day long weekend blitz.
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The myth-busting effort will see police statewide hand out 40,000 fact cards countering five of the most common misconceptions about low-level speeding.
These include why going a little bit over the speed limit is in fact a risk and why small increases in speed really do increase the likelihood of a crash.
Police hope the engagement will reinforce the importance of motorists slowing down and taking responsibility of their actions to reduce road trauma.
Acting Sergeant Josh McMahon, the Warrnambool highway patrol unit commander, said all available officers would be out on the roads between midnight Wednesday, April 24, 2024 and Sunday midnight, April 28.
He said in addition to manning pop-up random impaired driving sites, officers would be targeting low-range speeding drivers.
"This is a particularly troubling aspect of driving which usually leads all our operating statistics," he said.
"That's drivers speeding at up to 115kmh in 100kmh zones, or comparable speeds in lower speed zones.
"It's a target group that we will be focusing on during Operation Tribute."
Police will also be looking at high-range speeding drivers, impaired drivers (both alcohol and illicit drugs), distraction (mobile phones), fatigue and seatbelts.
"With ANZAC Day falling on Thursday, many people will take the opportunity to have a long weekend and travel into regional areas, including along the Great Ocean Road, to Port Fairy and through to Halls Gap," he said.
"We are requesting motorists drive to the conditions, particularly in wet weather. Drivers to need to check their tyres and most importantly slow down.
"Arriving home a couple of minutes later is a far better result if you can get home safely," he said.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Road Policing Glenn Weir said people often associated high-range speeding and reckless driving with fatal and serious injury collisions.
"But the reality is low-range speeding and basic driving errors, even if due to a lapse in concentration, can be just as devastating," he said.
"There are many misconceptions and myths around speeding or just going that little bit over the speed limit.
"We see these fact cards as an opportunity to proactively engage with motorists and have a conversation about how their speed can lead to trauma.
"We'd always prefer to educate motorists so they can make smarter and safer decisions behind the wheel, but we also won't hesitate to enforce when road rules are being ignored.
"Anzac Day is a high-risk period on our roads, so we ask people to take care and look out for one another - particularly around the dawn services and commemorative events taking place."
