This week, a significant cross-border road safety operation is underway on the Hume Highway, focusing primarily on speeding motorists and heavy vehicle compliance. Dubbed as one of the largest operations in recent times, it features collaboration between the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and police forces from New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria.
Operation Furious: NSW’s Crackdown on Dangerous Driving
Running until June 20, NSW Police have initiated Operation Furious, targeting speeding and dangerous driving from Sydney’s inner suburbs to the New South Wales/Victorian border at Albury. Over four days, more than 140 Traffic and Highway Patrol officers are deployed in marked and unmarked vehicles to enforce speed limits and conduct random checks.
First 24-hour results:
- 104 speeding drivers detected
- 349 random breath tests conducted
- 79 random drug tests conducted
- 1 positive breath test
- 5 positive drug tests
- 61 other traffic infringement notices issued
Superintendent Rob Toynton, Commander of the Traffic and Highway Patrol South West, emphasized the operation’s importance: “The Hume Highway is a busy stretch and the site of too many serious crashes. We make no apologies for targeting drivers driving dangerously and putting themselves – and more importantly – other road users at risk” (Mirage News).
Operation Hamilton: Victoria’s Enforcement Efforts
Simultaneously, Victoria Police are conducting Operation Hamilton on the Hume Freeway between Melbourne and Wodonga. This operation involves regional and State Highway Patrol officers being highly visible and actively enforcing traffic regulations.
The initiative follows a troubling increase in road trauma in the Wangaratta and Wodonga region, with 25 fatal collisions and 187 serious injury collisions in 2023. About 20% of these incidents occurred on or near the Hume Freeway.
During the last Operation Hamilton, Victoria Police intercepted 200 vehicles, detected 35 speeding offences, seven unregistered vehicles, three unlicensed drivers, impounded two vehicles, and issued seven defect notices over a four-day period (Mirage News) (The National Tribune).
Joint Effort for Safer Roads
This coordinated effort between NSW and Victoria Police, supported by NHVR inspectors, aims to enhance road safety by ensuring compliance with vehicle regulations and cracking down on dangerous driving behaviours.
Acting Superintendent Greg Donaldson reiterated the importance of driver responsibility: “Over the last 10 years, 81 lives have been lost from 76 crashes along the Hume Highway between Sydney and Albury. These crashes have overwhelmingly been a result of driver behaviour, such as speeding, alcohol or drugs, fatigue, or other poor driving choices. These lives could have been saved if drivers took greater responsibility when getting behind the wheel” (The National Tribune).
