RELATED: Booze bust at Elmore B&S ball
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The community was warned police would be out in force during the long weekend to check for excessive alcohol, the presence of drugs and speeding.
Yet Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing Doug Fryer said police still found many people flouting the law and thinking they could get away with it.
“It’s disappointing behaviour,” he said.
“Don’t take these risks on our roads – it’s not worth your life or someone else’s life.”
Nineteen of the 312 drink drivers detected during the four-day statewide road policing blitz were in central Victoria.
A total of 6865 breath tests were conducted by the region’s police during Operation Arid.
“Our commitment to road safety is ongoing, however it is always disappointing to see that motorists continue to commit serious offences such as drink driving,” Bendigo Highway Patrol Sergeant Mick McCrann said.
“We thank all those who travelled safe over the busy long weekend for their time and patience at out testing sites.”
A smorgasbord of events enticed visitors to the region and drove up activity on the roads.
Police were stationed in and around Elmore as revellers headed home from the Summer Send Off B&S Ball.
Three cars were impounded and nine drivers were detected exceeding the prescribed alcohol limit at the event venue and in the vicinity.
In addition to drink driving, police in central Victoria detected 271 other traffic offences throughout the long weekend.
Statewide, Victoria Police recorded 3208 speeding offences, 488 mobile phone offences, 309 seat belt offences, 565 unlicensed and disqualified drivers, and 844 unregistered vehicles.
One in 16 drivers was found with drugs in their system, and 99 vehicles were impounded.
Four people lost their lives on the state’s roads, including a cyclist, increasing the road toll to 43.
“Twenty-seven less people have died on our roads this year compared to the same time last year, but that is still 43 too many,” Assistant Commissioner Fryer said.