The head of Victoria’s road policing department has said he is “mortified” after he was caught speeding on his way to a meeting.
Deputy Road Policing Commissioner Glenn Weir was caught doing 58km/h in a 50km/h zone in Parkville, Melbourne’s north, on February 29.
A mobile speed camera picked up Mr Weir’s unmarked police vehicle driving along Manningham Street at 10.55am.
Mr Weir said he was on his way to a meeting at the time and thought he was driving in a 60km/h zone.
“I take full responsibility for this mistake and am shocked that it happened,” he said.
“I have spent my entire career advocating for road safety and this incident proves that no one is immune from making mistakes on the road.”
Mr Weir was fined $337 on Friday, along with one demerit point.
Deputy Road Police Commissioner Glenn Weir (pictured) was stopped on February 29 while driving at 58km/h in a 50km/h zone in Parkville, Melbourne’s north.
A mobile speed camera (pictured) picked up Mr Weir’s unmarked police vehicle driving along Manningham Street at 10.55am
“No matter how far over the limit, all speeding is unacceptable,” he said.
‘That is especially true for someone in my position.
‘I am really sorry.’
The fine comes months after Weir pleaded with Victorian drivers to obey road rules following a spate of deaths over the holiday period.
Sixteen people were killed on Victorian roads between December 15 and January 1, despite a statewide police operation.
This brought the total number of road deaths in the state in 2023 to 296, the highest figure since 2008.
A total of 19,386 traffic violations were detected during the 18-day operation, including 7,631 speeding violations.
Mr Weir said at the time that the number of driving offenses found was unacceptable.
‘As we enter a new year, we call on motorists to reflect on their habits behind the wheel, take responsibility for their actions and prioritize their safety, as well as the safety of their passengers and all others road users,” he said. .
“We will do everything we can to ensure we don’t have another year on the road like 2023.”
Victoria Police said Mr Weir would pay the fine despite being eligible for a warning for his good driving record.