Victoria Police has detected 450 offences, including 22 alcohol and drug impaired drivers during a weekend road safety blitz targeting high-risk driving on the Hume Freeway.
Operation Radihus saw regional, and State Highway Patrol units saturate the freeway across the Wangaratta and Wodonga Police Service Areas, aiming to enhance road safety, enforce road rules, and deter dangerous driving through high-visibility enforcement.
Tragically, 17 lives were lost across Eastern Region Division 4 last year - eight in Wangaratta and nine in Wodonga - while 169 people suffered serious injuries from motor vehicle collisions.
The operation took place on Friday 21 March and Saturday 22 March, with police establishing two major checkpoints at Glenrowan Rest Area and Bentons Hill Rest Area.
Officers conducted vehicle and heavy vehicle inspections, drug and alcohol testing, and compliance checks to detect and remove high-risk drivers from the road.
The multi-agency operation involved uniform, local and state Highway Patrol officers, local detectives, Dog Squad, and partner agencies including the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Safe Transport Victoria, and the Department of Transport and Planning.
Police conducted 4900 preliminary breath tests and 584 roadside drug tests, resulting in three drink driving and 19 drug driving offences.
Concerningly, 17 drivers were clocked travelling more than 25km/h over the legal speed limit.
The total 450 offences detected during Operation Radihus included:
136 speeding offences
118 heavy vehicle offences
69 defect notices issued
28 unregistered vehicles
13 disqualified and unlicenced drivers
19 drug driving offences from 584 roadside drug tests
3 drink driving offences from 4900 preliminary breath tests
3 vehicle impoundments
Police also arrested a number of people for a range of offences including possession of illicit drugs and weapons.
Police intercepted a male driver who had a suspended driver's licence and wanted for questioning for various alleged offences including blackmail and threatening to damage property. During a search of his vehicle, police located and seized quantities of illicit drugs and controlled weapons. His vehicle was unregistered and later impounded by police for 30 days at a cost of $1850. A 34-year-old South Melbourne man was charged with blackmail and threatening to damage/destroy property. He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 10 June 2025. He will also be summonsed to appear in court for offences including possessing a drug of dependence, possessing a controlled weapon, driving an unregistered motor vehicle, and driving whilst licence suspended.
A 40-year-old male from Bendigo was intercepted at the Glenrowan site and returned a positive result to a roadside drug test for illicit drugs. His vehicle was searched and drugs of dependence were located in the vehicle. The male will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.
A 64-year-old unlicenced truck driver from Craigieburn travelling to Sydney was intercepted by police in Cobram. He failed a Preliminary Oral Fluid Test and allegedly made admissions to police that he travelled via Cobram to avoid the police operation. Police also located and seized methamphetamine and valium. He was charged for offences from an incident in January this year, including make threats to kill, and unlawful assault. He was bailed to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates Court at a later date. He is also facing multiple heavy vehicle national law offences and facing a possible four-year licence disqualification.
Quotes attributable to Wangaratta Local Area Commander Inspector Ash Mason:
"The number of speeding and impaired drivers we detected is incredibly disappointing. Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol are not only breaking the law, but they're also making a choice that puts everyone around them in danger."
"Behind every serious crash is a family left grieving or a person living with life-changing injuries. These aren't just numbers - they're real people whose lives have been shattered. We're doing everything we can to prevent further tragedies."
"We're seeing too many crashes happening involving local people on local roads. It shows how quickly complacency can turn deadly. People let their guard down in places they know well, and that's when the mistakes happen."
"What's especially concerning is that many of the serious collisions we're seeing are the result of small, avoidable errors - speeding just a little, failing to wear a seatbelt, or missing a stop sign. These seemingly minor lapses are having devastating consequences."
"The rising number of lives lost this year is not something we can accept.
"If behaviours on our roads don't change soon, we'll continue to see this heartbreaking trend escalate throughout 2025."
Quotes attributable to Acting Director Southern Region Stephen Bryers - National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR):
"Operation Radihus was a great opportunity to team up with our partners, combining our resources and expertise to achieve a common goal of ensuring all road users reach their destination safely.
"Over the course of the two days, NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers carried out roadside checks on heavy vehicles, focusing on issues such as fatigue and mechanical defects, while also providing education and advice to drivers where needed.
"This joint effort highlights the importance of a united approach in promoting safety on our roads - by working together with our partners, we can better target high-risk vehicles, ensure compliance, and ultimately, save lives."
