WIMMERA police have warned they will be out and about this AFL grand final weekend to ensure everyone gets home safe.
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The crackdown is a part of a Victoria-wide Operation Scoreboard. Last year across the grand final weekend three Victorians died on the road.
Highway Patrol acting Sergeant Heath Martin said the grand final long weekend was one of celebration, but residents must celebrate responsibly.
“We understand a lot of people will be getting together to watch the final and we understand they will be drinking,” he said.
“We’re asking people to think of things such as designated drivers or taxis.
“We want a total separation of drinking from driving.
“If you drink, don’t drive and if you drive, don’t drink.”
Victoria Police have joined forced with the Transport Accident Commission ahead of final day in a separation campaign.
The campaign asks residents to leave the car at home when planning to drink, not matter how little they plan on having.
Acting Sergeant Martin said the separation message was very important.
“It’s very difficult to judge what level you could be one day to the next – it differs,” he said.
“It’s best and safest to totally separate the two.”
Acting Sergeant Martin said highway patrol would also be focusing on anyone travelling through the Wimmera or interstate regardless of the football.
He said they would concentrate on excess speed, fatigue and drink and drug driving offences.
Road Policing acting Assistant Commissioner Debra Robertson asked all Victorians to play their part at the long weekend.
“Three people were killed and more than 150 people were injured on Victorian roads during last year’s AFL grand final long weekend,” she said.
“Having zero deaths and injuries this year would make me as happy as Carlton winning the flag. No matter if you are barracking for the Bulldogs or Swans at the weekend, I ask that you enjoy the weekend safely.”
Ambulance Victoria MICA group manager Michelle Murphy said while most Australians celebrated, grand final weekend was one of the busiest times of year for paramedics.
Ms Murphy said last grand final day paramedics were called to a huge variety of incidents, including a call to assist an intoxicated man who fractured a rib after falling on a garden gnome.