Thousands caught in three-day Tribute blitz

Police have detected over 4,000 traffic offences during three-day road safety blitz coinciding with Anzac Day.

Operation Tribute saw police targeting high-risk driving behaviour across the state’s roads, in an effort to reduce road trauma.

Despite it not being a traditional long weekend in Victoria, police ramped up road policing enforcement from Friday to Sunday as Victorians hit the roads for the public holiday.

With Anzac Day traditionally experiencing a spike in impaired driving detections, police had a major focus on roadside alcohol and drug testing during the operation.

A total 279 impaired drivers were detected over three days, with 105 of these caught on the public holiday.

There were 178 drink driving offences detected from 68,610 preliminary breath tests – a strike rate of 1 in every 385 tested caught over the limit.

A further 101 drug driving offences were detected from 1,663 roadside drug tests.

Almost half of all offences detected during Operation Tribute were for speeding, with police issuing over 1,00 speeding infringements.

There were also over 300 drivers detected behind the wheel who were either unlicenced, suspended or disqualified from driving, and over 180 drivers caught using a mobile device while driving.

The total 4,041 offences detected during Operation Tribute included:

• 1,783 speeding offences
• 302 disqualified/suspended and unlicenced drivers
• 277 disobey signs/signals
• 187 mobile phone offences
• 178 drink driving offences from 68,610 preliminary breath tests
• 101 drug driving offences from 1,663 roadside drug tests
• 59 vehicle impounds
• 52 seat belt offences; and
• 339 unregistered vehicles

There was one fatal collision on Victorian roads over the weekend, with a male motorcyclist killed following a collision with a vehicle on the Western Freeway at Ravenhall on Saturday morning.

There have now been 22 fatalities in April, bringing the total lives lost on Victorian roads this year to 85 compared to 93 at the same time last year.

Police are reminding motorists they will continue to be enforcing anywhere, anytime across the state’s roads.

Operation Tribute ran from 12:01am Friday 24 April and concluded 11:59pm on Sunday 26 April 2026.

Quotes attributable to Road Policing Acting Assistant Commissioner, Justin Goldsmith:

“After a devastating period of road trauma on Victorian roads this month, with the previous two weekends experiencing a significant number of fatalities, it was pleasing to experience a downturn in trauma this weekend.

“Sadly though, one motorcyclist did lose his life in a collision, which is a stark reminder that we cannot afford to be complacent – the risk is ever-present.

“We do tend to see a spike in impaired driving over Anzac Day and disappointingly, this year was no exception with hundreds of drivers caught under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

“This is concerning because the majority of these drivers are making a conscious choice to drink or take substances, then get behind the wheel.

“If you drive impaired, not only is your chance of being involved in a collision significant, but your chances of being detected by police is far greater – so why anyone would take such a risk is difficult to comprehend.

“We will continue to be conducting roadside alcohol and drug testing at every opportunity – expect to be tested anywhere, anytime.”

Media Unit
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