Vic police target shoppers in Christmas campaign

Victorian traffic police will be on duty outside major shopping centres in a bid to keep the road toll down over Christmas.

Police have launched their holiday road safety campaign Operation Crossroads with the message that drivers who speed, drink-drive, use mobile phones or don't wear seatbelts will get caught.

"This is a time for families and loved ones to come together, not a time to be attending hospital wards, not a time to be planning funerals," said Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill.

Royal Melbourne Hospital is reinforcing the road safety message. Head of Emergency Professor George Braitberg says trauma staff are nevertheless expecting a busy few weeks.

Operation Crossroads runs from December 23 to January 3.