ONE in every 335 drivers tested by police have been caught drink driving during a four-day blitz across the state’s roads.
Operation Regal saw police highly visible and enforcing over the King’s Birthday long weekend, in an effort to reduce road trauma.
Despite challenging weather conditions across the weekend, police conducted around-the-clock roadside alcohol and drug testing.
There were 205 drink driving offences detected from 68,673 preliminary breath tests – a strike rate of one in every 335 drivers.
A further 168 drug driving offences were detected from 2740 roadside drug tests – a strike rate of one in every 16 drivers.
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More than 40 per cent of all offences detected were for speeding, with the majority of those caught between 10km/h and 25km/h over the speed limit.
Over 430 drivers who shouldn’t have been on the road at all because they were either unlicensed, disqualified or suspended from driving were caught during the operation.
Police also issued 499 infringements to motorists for disobeying traffic signs or signals, 174 for mobile offences, and 90 for seatbelt noncompliance.
The total 6005 traffic offences detected during Operation Regal included 2638 speeding offences, 499 disobey signs/signals, 435 disqualified/suspended/unlicenced drivers, 205 drink driving offences from 68,673 preliminary breath tests, 174 mobile phone offences, 168 drug driving offences from 2740 roadside drug tests, 107 vehicle impounds, 90 seatbelt offences, 546 unregistered vehicles.
As part of the operation Wangaratta police detected 138 offences including 64 speeding offences, 14 unregistered vehicles, seven disqualified drivers, five unlicensed drivers, five impoundments, four drug drivers, two drink drivers, two disobey signs/signals, one seatbelt offence and one other drink/drug offence.
Road Policing Acting Assistant Commissioner, David Byrt said it was very disappointing that police detected so many motorists disregarding the road rules over the weekend, especially during some treacherous weather conditions.
“It is even more difficult to avoid a collision in wet weather or when visibility is poor if you’re speeding, distracted, or driving while impaired, and yet we caught so many people blatantly taking those risks," he said.
“The number of drivers who were caught driving while alcohol or drug affected this weekend is completely unacceptable.
“These drivers are not only a serious risk to themselves, but to all other road users.
“Police will continue to enforce against those who engage in risky driving behaviour, and we make no apologies for this.
“It only takes one poor decision and a split second to cause a tragedy."
With wet weather and poor visibility increasing as winter sets in across Victoria, police are urging motorists to take extra care on the roads and be on the lookout for vulnerable road users – particularly pedestrians and motorcyclists.
Sergeant Shaun Hillier of Wangaratta Highway Patrol said as motorists enter alpine areas, police remind them of the associated risks of travelling in hazardous weather conditions.
“If you are attending the Alpine areas, ensure you and your vehicle are prepared," he said.
Police will remain highly visible on the roads across the state, with targeted operations to take place over the coming weeks focusing on vulnerable road user safety.
