Police caught 56 drink and drug drivers during a major road policing operation on the Princes Freeway 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 at Altona, targeting impaired drivers.
Police conducted 5040 preliminary breath tests, with 50 caught exceeding the alcohol limit.
The highest reading detected during the operation was a p-plater who returned a reading of .221 overnight.
One in every 88 drivers tested was found over the limit on Friday night, with the strike rate on Saturday being one in every 113.
There were also six drivers caught with drugs in their system.
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 $611 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 $611 penalty and a six-month licence suspension.
Police also impounded 16 vehicles and found two learner drivers behind the wheel unaccompanied.
Operation Leviathan was conducted by North West Metro Division Highway Patrol members, with support from uniform police and Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section.
While Operation Leviathan has finished, footy fans heading back from South Australia from the AFL Gather Round can expect to see an increased police presence as part of Operation Constellate.
The operation will see police focussing on the major arterial routes and metro feeder roads between Melbourne and the South Australian border, with motorists warned they should expect to be tested anywhere, anytime.
Operation Constellate concludes at 23.59 on Monday 13 April.
