A CROSS-BORDER crackdown on the Hume Freeway last week has left police scratching their heads, after a number of motorists were caught speeding despite knowing police would be deployed between Glenrowan and Wodonga.

Police ran Operation Hamilton in conjunction with NSW Police from Tuesday to Thursday, in response to a 166 per cent increase in fatal collisions (25) and 110pc increase in serious injury crashes (187) throughout the Wangaratta and Wodonga police service areas in 2023.

Some 27 injury collision occurred along the stretch of freeway last year, while a fatal crash at the Wenkes Road intersection near Chiltern claimed four lives following a collision between a truck and a car while the latter attempted to merge across traffic.

Wangaratta Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant David Gillespie said the prevalence of speeding was of particular concern, with 15 motorists caught travelling up to 25kph over the limit, while two others were caught speeding in excess of 135kph.

“We’re seeing speed still being an issue on the freeway, and this is after we’ve told everyone we’re going to be there,” he said.

“It’s not like we’re out there hiding waiting to get you – we’ve told you we’re going to be working out there, we’ve told you what days we’re going to be working there, and we’re still seeing it.

“Overall the results are actually disappointing, particularly given we’ve told everyone we’re going to be there.

“When you think about it, (low-level speed) it’s speed up to 25kph over the posted limit, so for the Hume Freeway that’s between 110 and 135kph, so when you put it in that context the speeds are getting right up there.

“It’s still concerning a major arterial road in a week leading up to a long weekend, where people are going to be out and about, the weather’s really good and there are lots of events out in the local community, and we’re still getting people undertaking risk-taking behaviours.”

Light vehicles accounted for 36 offences throughout the operation, while police also identified a number of heavy vehicle operators in breach of their responsibilities.

Some 10 drivers had not appropriately filled out their work diary, one driver was found unlicenced and another truck was found to be unregistered.

“The Hume Freeway is a major arterial route for Australia and heavy vehicles use it all the time, and heavy vehicle operators all know the importance of completing work diaries to a minimum standard,” Snr Sgt Gillespie said.

“It’s something we’re going to maintain a focus on, it’s something that Victorian and New South Wales police will continue to work together on, in regard to keeping that major arterial safe and making sure people see us and we’re visible on the roadway.”