Thousands of Victorians are packing up for Easter getaways to beaches, wineries and family reunions, but state police are issuing a stark warning: roads will be packed and fatigue kills.
Victoria skips double demerits entirely—unlike NSW, ACT and WA where penalties double from Thursday, 2nd April to Monday, 6th April for speeding, phones and seatbelts. Instead, Operation Nexus launches statewide, with Victoria Police blitzing fatigue, speed, drink/drug driving, distractions and seatbelt offences across holiday routes.
Driver Reviver sites spring up at 27 locations—with free coffee and snacks along the Hume Highway, Western Highway, Princes Highway and more—targeting fatigue behind one-in-five fatal crashes. Police urge every driver to stop every two hours, especially as school holidays kick off Good Friday (3rd April 2026).
Heavy congestion looms on Princes Highway to Gippsland, Great Ocean Road twisties, Mornington Peninsula (Hot Springs fully booked weeks ago by Victorians) and Yarra Valley chocolate trails, despite fuel costs curbing some plans.
This initiative aims to combat the fact that regional roads account for the majority of fatalities, with 84 deaths recorded year-to-date in 2025.
VIC Police’s Tech Crackdown
Victoria Police now deploys AI-powered cameras scan for phone use and unbuckled seatbelts 24/7, while 25,000 extra roadside drug tests target Easter drivers.
Victoria Police data shows that zero tolerance applies as impaired driving spikes over holidays. School zones stay live Thursday, 2nd April, so early escapees’ risk big fines before leaving Melbourne’s suburbs.
A police spokesperson hammered home: “Slow down near schools, break every two hours, ditch the phone—arrive alive, not in ambulance.”
How Interstate Rules Differ
NSW enforces double demerits from 2nd–6th April, with penalties climbing to as much as eight points and fines exceeding $1,000 for drivers caught more than 10km/h over the limit in average speed zones.
WA is also stepping things up, expanding double demerits to include red-light offences and drink or drug driving, while Queensland applies double points only to repeat offenders. Victoria, by contrast, sticks to standard penalties—but ramps up enforcement with a strong, visible police presence across the state.
Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Mitchell Gage puts it plainly: “Be patient, obey road rules, and drive to the conditions. We want people arriving safely this Easter, not adding to the road toll.” The TAC reinforces that message with a simple reminder: pause, stop, revive.
Easter means family time, not fatalities. So, plan smart and drive safe ’cause Melbourne roads wait for no one.
