THE festive season is upon us once again, the time of year for winding down from work and enjoying good times with family and friends.
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But sadly it is also one of the most dangerous times of year on Victorian roads.
In December last year 30 road users were killed and 564 were seriously injured.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill urged all Victorians to take a minute to think about those numbers before they use the road.
"That's 17 people each day suffering a life changing injury and 30 families that will never see a loved one again," he said
"It's a busy time of year with people going to end of year celebrations, doing their holiday shopping and rushing around to finish renovations."
One in every seven people killed on country roads last year wasn't wearing a seatbelt which is why the second stage of the Summer Stay campaign - Operation Break Up - will focus on driver distraction and seatbelt offences.
"With so much going on it's easy to lose focus when driving or to forget to put on your seatbelt," AC Hill said.
"But it is these small lapses in concentration that can turn this time of celebration into a time of mourning.
"Nobody thinks they will be the next person to be killed or seriously injured on the road, but sadly thinking you won't be next won't save you if you are distracted.
"Please take a moment to think about your loved ones when you get in the car, put your seatbelt on, slow down and get to your destination safely."
Breakdown of operations conducted as part of Summer Stay:
Operation RAID - state-wide operation targeting drink and drug driving aimed at removing all impaired drivers from the roads - November 14 to December 7.
Operation Break Up - state-wide operation with a particular focus on distraction and seatbelt offences pre-Christmas - December 8-22, 2014.
Operation Crossroads - nation-wide operation focusing on high risk factors associated with holiday driving during the Christmas/New Year week. Victoria Police will have a particular focus on speeding drivers. This operation will mark the official holiday road toll period and will run from December 23, 2014 to January 3, 2015.
Operation Fresh Start - state-wide operation with a particular focus on fatigue with the return of the industrial sector from the holiday break January 4, 2015.
