Police ran Operation Stop Drink/Drug Drive on Australia Day, setting up driver testing sites across metropolitan and rural Adelaide, according to SA Police.
With 29 drink drivers and 20 drug drivers detected, police say it is a concern that so many drivers are still drink and drug driving.
"Police are extremely disappointed with the results of this operation as a large number of motorists chose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, putting not only themselves at risk but also everyone else on the road.
"This risk-taking behaviour will not be tolerated and police will continue to work hard to take motorists showing no regard for the safety of themselves and others off the road," says Inspector David Kyriacou, Officer in Charge, Road Policing Section.
Slowed reaction times, poor judgement, confusion, impaired vision and impaired hearing are some of the common effects alcohol and drugs have on drivers, making them a danger to themselves and other road users.
Police detected 29 drink drivers, with the highest readings recorded by a 38-year-old Thorngate man (0.211) and a 49-year-old man from Watervale (0.217).
A 19-year-old Kurralta Park man, holding a provisional licence, recorded a reading of 0.159.
All were issued with an immediate loss of licence for 12 months, as well as having their vehicles impounded for 28 days.
Police detected 20 drug drivers who, pending forensic analysis, will be issued with expiation notices for the offences.
The drug drive detections include a 24-year-old man from Blakeview, who was arrested at Semaphore for driving without a licence and providing false details to police.
Police also remind drivers to slow down to 25 km/h when passing an emergency vehicle with flashing blue and red lights.
Not doing so puts emergency service workers at risk and is also unlawful; eight drivers were issued with expiation notices for speeding past police conducting driver testing.
Overview of Operation Operation Stop Drink/Drug Drive Australia Day:
4807 alcotests
29 positive alcotests
176 drug screening tests
20 positive
13 vehicles impounded
20 immediate loss of licences issued
13 defects
31 expiations and cautions
