Over two days, Victoria Police conducted a safety blitz, targeting high risk driving on the Hume Freeway.
‘Operation Radihus’ took place on Friday March 21 and Saturday March 22, with police establishing two major checkpoints at Glenrowan Rest Area and Bentons Hill Rest Area.
The blitz was aimed at both light and heavy vehicles, with a total of 450 offences detected, including 22 alcohol and drug impaired drivers.
Regional and state highway patrol units saturated the freeway across the Wangaratta and Wodonga Police service areas, aiming to improve road safety, enforce road rules, and deter dangerous driving through high-visibility enforcement.
Officers conducted vehicle and heavy vehicle inspections, drug and alcohol testing, and compliance checks
The blitz comes after 17 lives were lost across Eastern Region Division 4 last year — eight in Wangaratta and nine in Wodonga — and 169 people suffered serious injuries from motor vehicle collisions.
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 (NHVR), Safe Transport Victoria, and the Department of Transport and Planning.
“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,” said NHVR Acting Director Southern Region Stephen Bryers.
“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.”
Police conducted 4900 preliminary breath tests and 584 roadside drug tests, resulting in three drink driving and 19 drug driving offences.
There were also 17 drivers clocked travelling more than 25km/h over the legal speed limit.
The 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.
Of those caught out doing the wrong thing was a 64-year-old unlicenced truck driver from Craigieburn. He was bound for Sydney but intercepted by police in Cobram.
The truck driver failed a preliminary oral fluid test.
Victoria Police alleges he admitted to officer that he had 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 a possible four-year licence disqualification.
Also caught out was a 40-year-old light vehicle driver from Bendigo, who 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. He will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.
Commenting on Operation Radihus, Wangaratta Local Area Commander Inspector Ash Mason said, “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.”