POLICE were again left scratching their heads following a number of speeding detections in and around the Wangaratta area throughout the long weekend.
Operation Amity saw a heavy police presence on state and local roads from January 24 to January 27 in an effort to reduce road trauma during a busy period on our roads.
During the operation, a fatal crash at Bundalong between a ute and a parked truck on Australia Day occurred and killed a 36-year-old man.
Police said the incident took place on the Murray Valley Highway about 7pm, where the male driver of the ute was treated at the scene but could not be revived.
Sergeant Shaun Hillier of Wangaratta Highway Patrol said the circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated by police, who will prepare a report for the coroner.
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There have now been four lives lost on North East roads throughout January, including two within the rural city, adding to what police have already described as a “tragic” start to the year.
An 80-year-old Bowmans Forest man died in a collision on the Great Alpine Road on January 15 at Bowmans Forest and a 21-year-old driver died after a crash into a tree at Glenrowan on January 22 on Glenrowan-Winton Road.
Sgt Hillier said both incidents continued to be under investigation and police will prepare reports for the coroner.
Sgt Hillier said a number of motorists were detected exceeding the speed limit across the rural city during Operation Amity.
“It is really disappointing to see motorists are not getting the message and unfortunately sometimes that takes a fine and demerit points for that message to sink in,” he said.
“I would like to remind motorists to plan their journey – even if it is a short trip to drop the kids off at school or get to work and allow a little bit of time for unplanned delays.”
Sgt Hillier said he urged road users to be diligent and patient on our roads as school returns this week.
“After a tragically high number of fatal collisions were recorded in Wangaratta in 2024 - I would like to remind all road users that road safety is everyone’s responsibility and we all have an important role to play,” he said.
Police have recently installed around 40 mobile driving distraction cameras on North East roads in an effort to pin down drivers who are not using their seatbelts or who are using their mobile phone while driving.
