Operation Compass ran in the North East over the long weekend, coinciding with Melbourne residents being able to travel to regional areas.

A Melbourne man died on Friday afternoon after a collision involving a 20-year-old Wodonga woman on the Great Alpine Road at East Wangaratta.

Police are investigating what role driver error and inattention may have played in the two car crash.

An 18-year-old man was also airlifted to hospital on Sunday after crashing into a power pole at Barnawartha, and two people were hospitalised after motorbike crashes at Beechworth and Buckland.

Acting Senior Sergeant Tim Hart said police were keen to avoid similar incidents when the operation resumes on Friday.

"There were 199 offences detected in North East Victoria," he said.

"Unfortunately, 11 of those were drug or alcohol related.

"That's disappointing, especially because the large majority of those related to people testing positive to drugs."

Acting Senior Sergeant Hart said while it wasn't a long weekend, the risk was still "extremely high".

"Especially given that people aren't used to travelling," he said.

"No doubt driving skills diminish.

"We want to be out there working with the community to prevent serious injury collisions or even worse, fatalities."

He said fatigue and inattention were serious problems.

"I think we'll find that investigations into our most recent collisions will show that one second of inattention can have tragic consequences," he said.

"Having a licence is not a right, it's a privilege."

IN OTHER NEWS:

While coronavirus restrictions have forced the cancellation of the Bright Rod Run, police expect a large number of visitors for an unofficial gathering in the town.

Extra police will be on duty in Bright and an alcohol ban will again be in place from Friday to Sunday.

The event became alcohol free after violence and antisocial behaviour at previous gatherings, and Senior Sergeant Doug Incoll said the change had made a positive difference.

He said all Bright accommodation was booked out.

"There will be a lot of patrols to make sure people are abiding by the alcohol prohibition," Senior Sergeant Incoll said.

"There are also density limits in pubs, cafes and restaurants and people have to be double vaccinated.

"There will be a large police presence in the town for the weekend."

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