Police have taken 41 alleged drink or drug drivers off the road in just a matter of hours, during a two-night operation on the Nepean Highway.
Three booze buses at Elsternwick saw more than 6500 breath tests conducted on the evenings of 12 and 13 December in a bid to reduce road trauma before Christmas.
Several drivers are accused of attempting to avoid the highly visible breath testing sites by turning off the highway, unaware that Moorabbin and Prahran Highway Patrol officers were lying in wait.
- A 29-year-old man from Springvale was intercepted after turning off the Nepean Highway to allegedly avoid the booze bus, before returning a positive reading of 0.112. Further checks revealed his vehicle was unregistered. He received a $1018 penalty infringement notice for having an unregistered vehicle, as well as an $865 fine and an immediate loss of licence for 11 months.
- A 30-year-old man from Brighton allegedly attempted to park in a slip lane to avoid the testing site. He allegedly returned a positive reading of 0.092. He immediately lost his licence for six months and was fined $611.
- A 23-year-old woman from Prahran also allegedly attempted to avoid the testing site by turning down a side street. She is accused of blowing 0.090 during an evidentiary breath test. She was issued a penalty notice for $611 and had her licence cancelled for six months.
- A 40-year-old man from Patterson Lakes was stopped by police after he stopped in the slip lane to allegedly steer clear of the booze bus. He allegedly returned a positive breath test of 0.066. He was fined $611 and his licence disqualified for six months.
- A 20-year-old man from Aintree stopped in the slip lane prior to entering the breath testing site before being intercepted by Highway Patrol officers. He allegedly returned a positive preliminary breath test, before refusing an evidentiary test. He is expected to appear in court via summons and faces a two-year loss of licence, possible imprisonment and a monetary fine.
The two-night operation resulted in:
- 6664 preliminary breath tests (PBTs) conducted
- 34 drink drivers caught, two of whom allegedly refused to under the evidentiary breath test (EBT)
- 30 oral fluid tests conducted
- Seven drug drivers caught
- Five unlicensed drivers
- Four vehicles impounded for drink and drug driving and driving whilst disqualified
- Two arrests: a 15-year-old boy who was wanted on outstanding warrants, and a 47-year-old man who was allegedly driving a stolen car was located with a traffickable quantity of cannabis and in possession of a controlled weapon. He has been remanded in custody.
- 20 traffic offences identified, including for using an unregistered motor vehicle, an unaccompanied learner, failing to display L-plates, illegal U-turns, and drink or drug driving
- Four drivers will appear in court via summons.
Road policing operations will continue in the lead up to Christmas, to keep road users safe, with a reminder that motorists should expect to be tested anywhere, anytime.
Quotes attributable to Moorabbin Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Stuart Saunders:
"Time and time again, we see drivers taking reckless risks and putting countless people in serious danger.
"Road trauma caused by impaired motorists is completely avoidable. It simply does not have to happen.
"The fact that so many motorists were also trying to avoid detection clearly shows that they had chosen to risk driving whilst impaired.
"We know this time of the year sees a revolving door of celebrations. If you're planning on drinking, you must arrange another ride home.
"We do not want to knock on anyone's door to inform them that their loved one won't be home for Christmas.
