RELATED:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Police patrolling Bendigo roads over grand final weekend netted drink drivers and a drug user as part of a statewide operation aimed at curbing motorists’ dangerous behaviour.
Three drivers were detected with an illegally high blood alcohol reading in the Bendigo region between Thursday and Sunday.
A oral fluid test found another driver driving under the influence of an illicit drug.
Sergeant Mick McCrann from Bendigo highway patrol said there was a “relatively low” offence rate this weekend.
“For the number of people we tested, the detection rate wasn’t excessive,” he said.
Despite several serious collisions, no deaths were recorded on the region’s roads over the four-day period.
Across the state, Victoria Police picked up 261 drink drivers and 162 motorists for drug test offences, detection rates of one in 560 and one in 10 respectively.
Another 400 motorists were fined for using their phones and more than 230 for not wearing seatbelts.
Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said it was disheartening many motorists still did not adhere to basic road rules.
“Year in, year out, we still see very similar results whereby a core group of motorists think they can flout the law,” AC Fryer said.
“I find it unacceptable also that over 2200 motorists were caught speeding; when you break it down that is about 563 motorists a day caught risking not only their lives but the lives of others.
“I know that motorists still try to get away with using their mobiles but the very basics of not wearing your seatbelt, I just don’t understand it.
“We know speed not only kills but increases your risk of serious injury.”
General offences detected during the operation include:
- 184 disqualified/suspended drivers
- 291 unlicensed drivers
- 684 unregistered vehicles
- 2,253 speeding offences
- 395 mobile phone offences
- 549 disobey signs/signals
- 68 vehicle impounds
- 232 seat belt offences