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BENDIGO Highway Patrol officers have found almost 70 people driving under the influence of drugs this year.
Acting Sergeant Kevyn Hume-Cook has recorded 68 drug-driving offences since January 1.
“Six of the offences have been refusing or failing to accompany police for a test,” he said.
“We’ve had 48 people test positive for methamphetamine, or ice. Four have tested positive for cannabis and 10 have tested positive to both.”
Acting Sergeant Hume-Cook said 52 of the 68 offenders were male.
“Having done the testing I have noticed that the methamphetamines, speed or ice, is coming out predominantly,” he said.
“Fortunately only one of the offences were as a result of a collision, so that’s a positive.
“The guys here are very experienced and dedicated.”
He said the team recorded its first offence for the year at 10am on January 1.
Bendigo police have taken about 850 preliminary oral fluid tests from drivers since July 1 last year and about 100 oral fluid tests.
Acting Sergeant Hume-Cook said he had collected another 250 preliminary test kits, which he expected his team to use during May.
They will receive another 250 tests for the month of June.
Officers detected four drug drivers in the region during a TAC campaign running between November 2012 and May 2013.
Acting Sergeant Hume-Cook said police had increased the number of drivers they tested.
