Police are warning drivers about the harsh penalties for refusing alcohol and drugs tests after two unlicensed drivers were caught under the influence but would not co-operate with police orders.
Sergeant Geoff Annand said drivers faced two years off the road for refusing to accompany police for testing.
“They are better off taking the breath test than going down that path,” he said.
Sergeant Annand said the pair had been caught during a TAC-funded operation in Bendigo on Thursday specifically targeting drink- and drug-drivers.
One hundred and twenty drivers were breath-tested and 12 drivers were tested for drugs.
Sergeant Annand said a 39-year-old Kangaroo Flat man was caught in MacKenzie Street West, Kangaroo Flat, about 7.30pm.
“He stopped short of the breath-testing site and swapped positions with a passenger,” he said.
“The police saw this and they found that the original driver was unlicensed and had been drinking.
“The man refused to accompany police back to the station for a breath test and was charged on summons with unlicensed driving and refusing a breath test.”
Sergeant Annand said a 22-year-old Kangaroo Flat woman was pulled over about 8.10pm in High Street, Kangaroo Flat.
“She was unlicensed and tested positive to drugs on a preliminary test but refused to accompany police for a further test,” he said.
The woman was also charged on summons with unlicensed driving and refusing a drug test.
Sergeant Annand said police had caught one other drink-driver, a 67-year-old Kangaroo Flat man who had a blood alcohol content of 0.074. He will be fined $423 and taken off the road for six months.
