16 drink and drug drivers have been caught on our roads, with police out in force over the weekend for Operation Lockdown.
Six drivers were caught over the legal blood alcohol limit across more than 2,600 preliminary breath tests.
A 51-year-old Bannockburn man returned an alleged breath test reading of 0.173, more than three times the legal limit.
His vehicle was impounded for 30 days and he’s set to face court at a later date.
Another vehicle was impounded after a 43-year-old Jan Juc man returned an alleged reading of 0.153, the driver also set to face court.
Ten drivers tested positive for drugs across 77 roadside tests.
A 46-year-old Charlton woman allegedly tried to avoid the testing site before testing positive for methamphetamine/MDMA.
Acting Senior Sergeant Chris McCran from the Geelong and Colac Highway Patrol said drivers should expect to be tested anywhere, anytime.
“With 13 lives lost in the Geelong and Surf Coast areas this year, we are urging drivers not to get by the wheel while impaired,” Sergeant McCran said.
“The last thing we want to do around Christmas time is knock on families’ doors to tell them their loved ones are not coming home.
“If you’re planning to have a drink over the festive season our message is simple: don’t drive – leave the car at home, arrange a designated driver or use ride-share services.”
Police detected 12 people behind the wheel while disqualified, suspended, or unlicenced, nine unregistered vehicles, and seven speeding offences.
The testing blitz targeted major arterial roads in North and South Geelong overnight on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 December.
It was conducted by Geelong and Colac Highway Patrol members, with support from uniform police, State Highway Patrol and the Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section.
The blitz formed part of Operaton Roadwise, the statewide police effort across the Christmas and New Year period, which runs from 12.01am on Thursday 18 December until 11.59pm on Monday 1 January.
