State Highway Patrol has detected dozens of drug and alcohol affected drivers during a recent operation in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Operation Brew was conducted over three nights, from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 July, with a focus on targeting driving behaviour that contributes to road trauma.
Police focused enforcement efforts around licenced venues in Knox, Maroondah and the Yarra Ranges.
The operation saw 12 motorists caught drink driving from 157 preliminary breath tests, with eight detected for exceeding 0.05 BAC and four detected exceeding 0.00 BAC.
Road Policing Operations and Investigations Division Superintendent, John Fitzpatrick said it was concerning that police saw such high drink and drug driving detection rates over one weekend in a fairly condensed part of the state.
“It is evident that people are engaging in risk-taking behaviour and choosing to get behind the wheel whilst impaired,” he said.
A further 12 motorists were detected for drug driving offences, with police conducting 112 roadside drug tests.
Other offences detected during the operation included six speeding offences for mid to high range speeding, three mobile phone offences, three unauthorised driving offences (disqualified and unlicensed), and two vehicle impoundments.
Supt. Fitzpatrick said that one in every thirteen drivers tested were caught drink driving, and one in every nine drivers tested were caught for drug driving.
“We know that impaired driving contributes to serious injury and fatal collisions, so we are doing everything we can to detect and remove these drivers from our roads,” he said.
In total, 73 offences were detected.
State Highway Patrol will continue to work with local police to conduct target road policing operations in an effort to reduce road trauma.
“Not only are the penalties significant, but the consequences can be catastrophic and devastating if you are involved in a collision.” Supt. Fitzpatrick said.
“If you’re heading out over the weekend, please consider alternative modes of transport to ensure you are not making a poor decision to drive whilst drug or alcohol affected,” he said.
