Hume Police District Highway patrol Inspector Lee Ingmire

Inspector Lee Ingmire, traffic manager of Hume Police District Highway patrol talking about Operation Christmas and New Year.

Transcript

00:00My name is Inspector Leigh Ingmeyer and I am the traffic manager of the Hume

00:05Highway Patrol within the Hume Police District. Operation statewide Christmas

00:10New Year concluded at midnight last night with the operation running over the

00:15last 17 days. During that operation there was a large police presence on our roads

00:20and statewide over 600,000 almost 600,000 RBT was conducted and a

00:28further just over 29,000 roadside drug tests were conducted statewide. From

00:35that 939 drivers were detected driving under the influence of alcohol and a

00:41further 2,415 drivers returned a positive roadside drug test. In addition to that

00:4812,622 speeding infringements were issued across the operation. It's

00:57disappointing to see drivers continue to commit offences on our roads putting not

01:03only themselves but other road users at significant risk and unfortunately across

01:08the holiday period we lost a further seven persons on our roads that were killed.

01:15In terms of the school holiday period although the traffic operation has

01:21concluded there'll still be a large policing presence on our roads with that

01:26increased traffic movements across the Hume Police District. Encourage drivers to slow

01:32down, be patient, take regular breaks and comply with the road rules and just ensure

01:38that everyone gets home safely and alive.

01:41And how did those statistics translate to the Hume Police District?

01:46In terms of the enforcement? Yes. In terms of the enforcement the Hume Police District detected 1,211

01:56persons speeding within the Hume which was sort of the biggest number in the state and we continue to see

02:04people drink driving as well with a further 20 people detected drink driving and approximately 60

02:12persons detected with drugs in their system as well which is concerning.

02:19And you've also targeted rural roads as part of this program?

02:21Yes, that's right. So although our increased traffic movements are on our major

02:25major arterial roads within the Hume across the Hume Highway,

02:29our local roads are still heavily policed as well.

02:36And these patrols will continue beyond the school holiday period?

02:40Yes, so even once the holidays are over the policing presence will continue

02:46not only on our major roads but also our local roads and towns and villages as well.

02:52And what's your message to motorists?

02:54Yes, just comply with the road rules, slow down, be patient and ensure everyone arrives home safely and alive.