Police caught 39 people drink driving during a major road policing operation on Melbourne’s Monash Freeway over the weekend.
Operation Colossus, which was conducted over Friday and Saturday night, saw police targeting impaired drivers with 3030 preliminary breath tests conducted.
Of the 39 motorists caught drink driving, one driver returned a BAC reading of 0.117.
An additional three drivers were detected drug driving from 44 preliminary oral fluid tests.
Police also impounded 6 vehicles and detected 6 drivers who were either unlicenced, disqualified or suspended.
Victoria Police is warning motorists there will be zero tolerance to drink and drug driving over the festive period, with significant penalties for those who disregard the rules.
First time offenders who are fully licenced and over 26 years of age caught with a blood alcohol limit between 0.05 and 0.07 receive a $577 fine and immediate three-month licence suspension.
The penalties increase substantially for those under 26 years of age, those required to have a zero blood or breath alcohol level, those caught for second or subsequent drink driving offences, and those caught over 0.07 or above – including larger fines, longer licence suspensions, alcohol interlocks, attendance at court and even jail time for the most serious offences.
Operation Colossus was conducted by Southern Metro Division 3 Highway Patrol, with support from uniform members, State Highway Patrol and Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section.
Police will continue to have a major focus on drink and drug driving over the remainder of the year, with a statewide road policing operation to be launched in December.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads during the festive period, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.
Quotes attributable to Sergeant Alastair Clement, Greater Dandenong Highway Patrol:
“It’s disappointing that we continue to detect far too many motorists for drink and drug driving.
“Choosing to drink and drive, or take drugs and drive, demonstrates blatant disregard not only for your own safety but the safety of your passengers and all other road users.
“We need people to completely separate these behaviours.
“It’s evident we caught a lot of motorists off guard with Operation Colossus over the weekend – so if you think you won’t be caught, think again.
“We’ll continue to be out conducting alcohol and drug testing at every opportunity, and we won’t hesitate to remove impaired drivers from the roads.
