Thirty-nine motorists have been caught behind the wheel while allegedly under the influence of drugs or alcohol during a two-night blitz in Elsternwick.
This comes despite the best efforts of some drivers accused of trying to bypass police.
With the support of three booze buses, Moorabbin Highway Patrol officers conducted the operation along the Nepean Highway at Elsternwick and were waiting on nearby side roads for motorists who attempted to avoid detection.
Over two nights on 11 and 12 September, highway patrol officers undertook 7194 preliminary breath tests – 39 of which returned a positive result – as well as 39 preliminary oral fluid tests, with three drivers testing positive roadside to illicit substances.
In total, 8 per cent of motorists who were drug tested allegedly returned positive results. The positive oral fluid tests will undergo further analysis.
More motorists were caught breaking the law on Friday night compared with Saturday.
Of note:
- A 48-year-old man from Highett allegedly attempted to avoid the booze buses but was intercepted and returned an alleged reading of 0.118; nearly 2.5 times the legal limit. His licence was immediately suspended and vehicle impounded. He will receive a summons to attend the Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court.
- A 37-year-old woman from Ringwood East was intercepted by a police motorbike while allegedly attempting to avoid going through the testing site. She returned an alleged blood alcohol content of 0.63 and immediately lost her licence for three months. She was also fined.
- A 34-year-old man from Mornington allegedly drove through a red light on Nepean Highway just prior to the booze bus site. The vehicle was immediately intercepted. The driver allegedly tested positive to cannabis and received a fine for providing a positive drug test result and was cautioned for the possession of cannabis; and
- A 34-year-old man from Aspendale was believed to be trying to stop before the booze bus site in the service lane and was intercepted. He reportedly gave an alcohol reading of 0.065 despite being required to have no alcohol in his system due to a previous offence. His licence has been suspended for 6-months, and he received a $627 fine. His vehicle was impounded and he will appear in court at a later date.
Four vehicles were impounded when their drivers exceeded the prescribed concentration of alcohol.
Police will continue to conduct alcohol and drug testing anywhere, any time to drive down road trauma.
Quotes attributable to Moorabbin Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Stuart Saunders:
“It is beyond frustrating that so many people continue to put their lives, as well as the lives of their passengers and other road users in danger by driving after consuming drugs or alcohol.
“Our members conducted more than 7000 breath tests across two nights, with a number of drivers tested for drugs returning positive results.
“There is no space on our roads for those who choose to make reckless decisions that could easily end, or severely impact, the life of an innocent person.
“Police will allege that several of those who were caught during this operation had seen the flashing lights of the booze bus and made another error by turning down side streets to avoid police.
“Just know that if you are contemplating trying to elude us, we’ll be there waiting.”
