Hundreds fined during Gather Round road safety blitz

Police have detected over 750 offences during a road safety operation targeting motorists travelling to and from South Australia during AFL Gather Round.

Operation Constellate saw police highly visible and enforcing on all major arterial routes and metro feeder roads between Melbourne and the South Australian border.

The five-day operation coincided with AFL Gather Round, an event which attracted 54,000 interstate visitors to South Australia last year.

Victoria Police also worked alongside South Australia Police to ensure a strong police presence was maintained across roads on both sides of the border.

More than half of all offences detected in Victoria were for speeding, with the majority of speeding drivers caught travelling between 10km/h and 25km/h over the speed limit.

There were 26 motorists detected for drug driving offences, with police conducting 417 roadside drug tests.

A further 13 motorists tested for alcohol were caught over the limit, from 3,302 preliminary breath tests.

The total 764 offences detected during Operation Constellate included:

• 444 speeding offences
• 46 disqualified/suspended and unlicenced drivers
• 26 drug driving offences from 417 roadside drug tests
• 15 disobey signs/signals
• 14 mobile phone offences
• 13 drink driving offences from 3,302 preliminary breath tests
• 7 seat belt offences
• 4 vehicle impounds; and
• 66 unregistered vehicles

There have been four fatalities on Victorian roads since Thursday, including three on Sunday in Narre-Warren East, Tarneit and Fern Hill, and one on Monday in Merrimay.

These four deaths on Victorian roads bring the total lives lost to 71 in 2026.

Police are urging motorists to remain vigilant when travelling on Victorian roads, particularly during the remaining school holiday period.

Another statewide road policing operation will be launched next week ahead of ANZAC Day on Saturday 25 April.

Operation Constellate commenced at 0001 hours on Thursday 9 April and concluded at 2359 hours on Monday 13 April 2026.

For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.

Quotes attributable to Road Policing Acting Superintendent, Sarah Carmichael:

“While it appears the majority of motorists made a safe trip to and from AFL Gather Round, sadly we did still experience hundreds of drivers disregarding the road rules.

“Speeding was particularly prevalent, and it’s no coincidence that speeding is the leading cause of road trauma, particularly on the state’s regional roads.

“A number of impaired drivers were also detected, which is extremely concerning, but then factor in a long drive where fatigue can become a factor, and you have a recipe for disaster.

“As the popularity of this event continues to grow, so too will Operation Constellate and our commitment to being highly visible and enforcing across all major roads to and from the event.

“We make no apologies for making the roads safer for all road users, and ultimately if you comply with the road rules, you won’t receive a penalty.

“With school holidays in full swing, motorists can expect to see police remaining visible and enforcing across the state’s roads, with another operation set to launch next week ahead of ANZAC Day.”

Media Unit

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