Our road safety pledge for 2013

Road safety is an issue that we are always focused on and - at this time of year - with increased numbers on our local roads, it's important that that we remain vigilant.

Last year, we saw some positive results on our roads, with a reduction in both the number of fatalities and serious injury collisions occurring in our community. While that's great, there's still plenty to do. Even with a the number of collision reducing, we still have families grieving and people struggling to recover from injuries sustained in road accidents.

With that in mind, police in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula have started the year with a number of targeted road policing operations. We'll be conducting enforcement activities around speed, alcohol and safety issues. We'll continue to target those road users who habitually break the law, and those drivers who make the roads unsafe for everyone around them.

Sgt Peter Martin from the Rosebud Highway Patrol has just conducted one such operation.

He prepared this message for our blog readers in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula:

"Last month, Rosebud Highway Patrol members ran a joint operation with VicRoads vehicle examiners and the Sheriff in the vicinity of the Rye Pier car park, targeting those in the community who fail to obey their Sheriff obligations, or drive unsafe and unroadworthy cars.

Sheriff Officers were able to execute a number outstanding warrants and recover unpaid fines.

VicRoads officers - in conjunction with Rosebud Highway Patrol members - issued 32 defect notices. Several cars were in such poor condition that they were immediately grounded and towed away.

A total of 28 penalty notices were issued for roadworthy and licensing offences.

Of particular concern was a vehicle that had the drivers seat supported by a concrete block (pictured, above), as well as several cars that had no tread on their tyres - some even had 'wire' sticking out of the tyre circumference!!

This is an ongoing operation that will be repeated in the near future."

So, with this in mind, please drive safely, and make 2013 our safest year ever.

Matt Mulcahy
Senior Sergeant