Police across the state will focus their efforts towards preventing road trauma, as Victorians swap the four walls of their home for a weekend getaway.

The long weekend comes at a time when the number of lives lost on the Victorian roads approaches the number of Australian lives lost to the deadly coronavirus.

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy said the community had been adhering to the public health warnings, but it was now also time to adhere to road safety warnings.

“Despite all the warnings unfortunately some people continue to speed, drink, take drugs and drive,” said Assistant Commissioner Murphy.

“We want people to take road trauma seriously. One life is too many, let alone close to 100 Victorians who will not be around to see the year end.

“If nothing else, think about the grief and sadness your loves ones will have to go through should you not make it home, or the pain they will have to endure visiting you in a jail cell from killing someone else.”

As restrictions ease and more traffic flows on our major arterials, Operation Regal will focus on the fatal five of road trauma – speeding, drink and drug drivers, fatigue, driver distraction and people not wearing seatbelts.

“I ask that you make the smart decisions when on the road,” Assistant Commissioner Murphy said.

“Until road trauma touches someone you love, you don’t realise the very real and life-long effects it can have. By then, it is all too late.”

Operation Regal falls on the first long weekend where Victorian’s will be allowed to travel to stay at destinations overnight.

“Many drivers may be out of practice after not travelling long distances or country roads since March,” Assistant Commissioner Murphy said.

“Make sure you give enough distance between vehicles, look ahead and give your full attention to driving.”

Operation Regal runs from 12.01am Friday June 5 to 11.59pm Monday June 8. It involved involves all available personnel from local road policing units, to general duties and centralised support from other operational policing units.