Over 100 intoxicated motorists were detected during Operation Stop Drink Drug Drive this month, despite pleas from police for the public to make good choices on the road.
Between Friday 19 December and Sunday 21 December over 10,000 drivers were subject to alcohol and drug testing across the state.
During the operation, 59 drivers returned a positive drug test, 10 of those testing positive to cocaine. 64 drivers were caught driving under the influence of alcohol and five people failed or refused to comply with alcohol or drug testing.
Police issued 79 drivers with an instant loss of licence and 44 vehicles were impounded.
The highest reading detected was in the Riverland on Saturday 20 December when police stopped a vehicle driving on the Sturt Highway for mobile driver testing. The driver, a 53-year-old man from the Northern Territory subsequently returned a reading of 0.237. He was charged with drink driving, driving a motor vehicle when not authorised after a previous drink driving disqualification and contravening a mandatory alcohol interlock condition. The man was issued a 12-month Immediate Loss of Licence and had his vehicle impounded for 28 days
Superintendent Shane Johnson, Traffic Support Branch, said, "As we move into the festive period, I am pleading with South Australian drivers to think seriously before you get into a car if you have been drinking or using illicit drugs".
"Police will be out in force over the next week and anyone who chooses to put the lives of other road users at risk, will be intercepted and face consequences", Supt Johnson said.
