Police caught 55 drink and drug drivers during a major road policing operation in Laverton over the weekend.
Operation Leviathan, which was conducted over Friday and Saturday night, saw police conducting high volume alcohol and drug testing on the Princes Freeway, targeting impaired drivers.
Police conducted 3454 preliminary breath tests, with 52 caught exceeding the alcohol limit.
Ten of those were learner and probationary drivers, who are required to have no alcohol in their system whatsoever.
A further 16 drivers were caught with a BAC between 0.05 and 0.069, with police indicating many of these drivers thought they'd be under the limit and okay to get behind the wheel.
The highest detection during the operation was a driver who allegedly blew 0.185 - more than three times the legal limit.
Three drivers also tested positive for drugs, with police conducting 48 roadside drug tests during the operation.
Victoria Police is warning motorists there is a zero tolerance to drink and drug driving, with significant penalties for those who disregard the rules.
First time offenders who are fully licenced and over 26 years of age caught with a blood alcohol limit between 0.05 and 0.07 will receive a $593 fine and immediate three-month licence suspension.
The penalties increase substantially for those under 26 years of age, those required to have a zero blood or breath alcohol level, those caught for second or subsequent drink driving offences, and those caught over 0.07 or above - including larger fines, longer licence suspensions, alcohol interlocks, attendance at court and even jail time for the most serious offences.
Exceeding the prescribed concentration of drugs while driving carries a $593 penalty and a six-month licence suspension.
Police impounded 23 vehicles and detected a further 35 traffic offences during the operation.
Operation Leviathan was conducted by North West Metro Division Highway Patrol members, with support from uniform police and Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section.
The operation was also supported by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).
Quotes attributable to Westgate Highway Patrol Sergeant, Jamie Jordan:
"We are disappointed by the actions and attitudes of those drivers caught during Operation Leviathan.
"Those drivers who were detected over the limit were more concerned about the inconvenience of having their keys taken off them, rather than the fact they have committed a serious driving offence.
"We acknowledge these operations can cause delays to people's travel, but these results continue to justify our actions.
"We make no apologies for detecting and removing impaired drivers from our roads, and you can expect to see us out conducting these large-scale freeway operations anywhere, anytime."
