Police Minister Anthony Carbines and assistant commissioner for road policing Glenn Weir this week launched Operation Nexus, which aims to reinforce the importance of making safe decisions behind the wheel this Easter long weekend.

The operation will bring a greater police presence over Easter, with police officers supported by specialist resources including highway patrol, solo-unit motorcycles and the operations response unit deployed to take dangerous drivers off our roads and save lives.

Police will be targeting speed, fatigue, distraction offences and seatbelt non-compliance, and motorists should expect to be tested for alcohol and drugs during this period.

During last year’s Easter statewide road policing operation, two people lost their lives on our roads and Victoria Police detected 7783 offences. There were 2948 speeding offences, 313 people were caught drink-driving and of the 6615 roadside drug tests performed, 243 people were caught with drugs in their system.

The operation also caught 261 drivers using mobile phones, which is particularly concerning as distraction is estimated to be the contributing factor in 11 per cent of road fatalities and the cause of more than 400 serious injuries every year.

In Mildura, almost 100 offences were detected by police, with unlicensed driving and unregistered vehicles topping the list.

Almost 1000 people were given preliminary breath tests. Four were caught drink-driving.

Mildura police reported that 17 people had been detected speeding and more were likely caught by speed cameras.

Operation Nexus will continue through to midnight on Easter Monday.

Mr Carbines said everyone would be eager to get out this Easter, but it was important Victorians took their time to drive safely and responsibly on our roads.

"It’s better to arrive late than not at all," he said.

"The message is clear – if you are doing the wrong thing on our roads this long weekend, you should expect to be caught and held to account."