Unauthorised drivers who get behind the wheel over the Australia Day long weekend have been issued a warning by Victoria Police.
Police across the state will be using automatic number plate recognition technology to detect and stop drivers who are unlicensed, suspended or disqualified.
Assistant Commissioner Road Policing Glenn Weir said the capability to detect and enforce against unauthorized drivers and motorcyclists has never been greater.
“These drivers have no right to be on our roads and pose a significant risk, not only to themselves but to all road users,” he said.
“Increasingly, we’re seeing unauthorised drivers involved in road trauma and fatal collisions.”
All highway patrol vehicles are fitted with automatic license plate recognition technology and additional police vehicles have been fitted with the technology as a part of an ongoing trial.
Unauthorised drivers were involved in 31 fatal collisions in 2022, a 29 per cent increase from 2021.
Police are launching a five-day operation to reduce road trauma, with a focus on major arterials, holiday hotspots and travel on rural roads.
24 Victorians have lost their lives on the roads in the first 23 days of 2023, double the five-year average of 12.
Operation Amity commences at 12.01am on Wednesday 25 January and concludes at 23.59pm on Sunday 29 January.
