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Victoria Police will be out in force on the state's roads over the long weekend as they look to stem a recent spate of fatal accidents. Operation Furlong will see more police on roads in Victoria monitoring for speeding, as well as conducting random alcohol and drug tests on drivers as the state prepares for the Melbourne Cup long weekend. It comes as authorities revealed alarming data surrounding fatal car crashes in the state, with a 75 per cent rise in people dying in head-on crashes through avoidable causes or basic driving errors. BREAKING NEWS: Bus driver guilty of young woman's death This includes fatigue, inattention or distraction by a mobile phone or another device. "We believe fatigue, inattention or distraction from mobile phone use behind the wheel are likely contributing to these deadly head-on collisions, and it's all completely avoidable," Assistant Commissioner Road Policing Glenn Weir said. "With the majority of these a result of failing to keep left, this indicates motorists are becoming momentarily distracted and then drifting into oncoming traffic." More than 60 per cent of deaths on Victorian roads this year have been caused by such incidents rather than dangerous or illegal driving behaviour. READ MORE: Dad almost killed in freak bed base accident Police say 18 more people in Victoria have died on the roads this year compared to the same point in 2024. "During Operation Furlong you can expect to see police highly visible across the state's roads – we'll be on the lookout for those who choose to speed or drive distracted and we'll also be conducting widespread drug and alcohol testing," Weir said. "Our message to motorists this weekend is simple – stay in your lane and stay alive on the roads." Operation Furlong will begin at 12:01am tomorrow, and end at 11:59pm on Tuesday, November 4. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
