Police are alarmed at the number of drivers who have been caught drink and drug driving during the first phase of a major road policing operation.
Despite numerous warnings for motorists to expect widespread alcohol and drug testing throughout December, police have been shocked at the number of impaired drivers caught since Operation Roadwise commenced on 13 December.
Last week, police conducted a major blitz throughout Cardinia on Thursday and Friday evenings which saw eight drink and drug drivers caught over the limit.
Concerningly, all of those caught drinking driving were well over the limit, ranging between 0.085 and 0.190.
State Highway Patrol members were also conducting preliminary breath testing in Port Melbourne on Friday, with one 50-year-old male who stated he only had one glass of wine recording an evidentiary breath test reading of 0.230.
His vehicle was impounded for 30 days, and his driver's licence was immediately suspended for 12 months.
The weekend prior, police popped up in the Geelong region and caught a further 42 drink and drug drivers over Friday 13 and Saturday 14 December.
It follows a blitz on the Monash Freeway earlier this month when police detected 57 drink and drug drivers over two nights, with a significant spike in detections during the early hours of 3am and 5am.
The high number of detections has prompted another police warning just prior to Christmas, with police urging all motorists to separate drinking and driving.
Police will be working around the clock over the Christmas period, with alcohol and drug testing blitzes set to continue into the new year.
Motorists are again being warned to expect to be tested anywhere, any time.
Operation Roadwise will continue into January and will see police highly visible across the state's roads.
There will be a significant focus on major arterials to coastal areas and popular holidays hotspots from Boxing Day with many Victorians expected to hit the road.
Police are urging motorists to be patient and allow extra travel time, as well as maintaining a safe braking distance, particularly around caravans and heavy vehicles.
Operation Roadwise commenced at 00:01 hours on Friday 13 December 2024 and concludes at 23:59 hours on Wednesday 1 January 2025.
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 Road Policing Assistant Commissioner, Glenn Weir:
"Despite our continuous warnings, we are appalled at the number of motorists we've detected drink and drug driving since Operation Roadwise commenced.
"This just shows that people are continuing to make really poor choices and are still opting to get behind the wheel after having a couple of drinks.
"Our message is clear - there is absolutely no excuse for drink or drug driving. Enough is enough.
"Police are working around-the-clock and conducting alcohol and drug testing at every opportunity, so expect to be tested and know that if run the gauntlet, you will be caught.
"We will remain highly visible across the state's roads over the remainder of this year and into January.
"Let's ensure everyone makes it home safely to spend Christmas and the New Year with their loved ones."
