Police are alarmed at the number of drivers caught drink and drug driving during the first week of a major road policing operation.
Despite numerous warnings for motorists to expect widespread alcohol and drug testing over Easter, a concerning number of impaired drivers have been caught since Operation Compass commenced on 17 April.
A total 466 alcohol and drug driving offences have been detected.
This comprises 248 drink driving offences from 150,116 preliminary breath tests, and a further 218 drug driving offences detected from 5,308 roadside drug tests.
The high number of detections has prompted a police plea ahead of the Anzac Day long weekend, with police urging all motorists to not drink or take drugs and drive.
Alcohol and drug testing will continue to be a major focus for police as Operation Compass continues, with motorists reminded to expect to be tested anywhere, anytime.
Police are also concerned at the number of motorists who have been detected behind the wheel that shouldn't be driving at all, including those who are disqualified, unlicenced and suspended.
With 530 unauthorised drivers detected on Victorian roads since the operation commenced, police will continue to use automatic numberplate recognition technology to scan numberplates, detect unlawful drivers and remove them from the roads.
The total 7,689 traffic offences detected during the first seven days of Operation Compass (17 - 23 April) include:
• 3,231 speeding offences
• 530 unlicenced/disqualified/suspended drivers
• 466 disobey signs/signals
• 375 mobile phone offences
• 248 drink driving offences from 150,116 preliminary breath tests - a strike rate of one in 605 drivers tested
• 218 drug driving offences from 5,308 roadside drug tests - a strike rate of one in 24 drivers tested
• 149 vehicle impounds
• 131 seat belt offences; and
• 757 unregistered vehicles
There have been five fatal collisions since Operation Compass commenced on 17 April, including a male driver killed in a single-vehicle collision in Werribee on 18 April, a double fatality of a motorcyclist and pillion passenger in Thomastown on 20 April, a fatal collision involving a teenage e-scooter rider in Terang on 22 April, and the death of a motorist following a collision with a truck in Little Desert on 22 April.
This brings the total number of lives lost on Victorian roads to 91, compared to 90 at the same time last year.
Operation Compass will continue until 2359 hours on Sunday 27 April, with police to remain highly visible and enforcing across the state's roads in an effort to reduce road trauma.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads, 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 extremely concerned at the number of motorists we've detected drink and drug driving over the Easter period.
"This just shows that people are continuing to make really poor choices and are still opting to get behind the wheel when they're impaired.
"Our message is clear - there is absolutely no excuse for drink or drug driving. Take the risk, and you will be caught.
"Operation Compass continues into this weekend, and our focus remains on impaired drivers - our testing will be widespread and every motorist should expect to see us and be tested anywhere, anytime.
"We'll also be on the lookout for those deliberately breaking the rules and putting other road users at risk, whether that's for speeding, unauthorised driving, or distracted driving.
"We're also expecting some wet weather this weekend, so we're reminding all motorists hitting the roads to allow plenty of travel time, drive to the conditions and be courteous to other road users. Let's ensure we all reach our destination safely."
