Local police are dismayed after 42 drivers were caught exceeding the legal alcohol limit or under the influence of drugs during a weekend crackdown in Geelong.
Operation Lockdown, which ran from Friday December 13 to Saturday December 14, saw State Highway Patrol and Geelong and Colac Highway Patrol officers deployed four booze busses across Geelong.
The operation coincided with the launch of Operation Roadwise, targeting impaired driving during the holiday period. 22 motorists were caught drink driving, with one driver returning a blood alcohol reading (BAC) of 0.136, almost three times the legal limit.
• A 31-year-old man from Charlemont recorded a BAC of 0.136. His licence was cancelled for 13 months, and his vehicle was impounded.
• A 34-year-old man from Newtown recorded a BAC of 0.122. His licence was cancelled for 12 months, and his vehicle was impounded.
• A 30-year-old man from Newtown recorded a BAC of 0.94. His licence was cancelled for six months.
• Three probationary drivers who made the decision to drink and drive recorded a BAC between 0.00 and .05. All three of their licences were suspended.
20 people were also caught driving whilst under the influence of drugs.
Other notable incidents include:
• A 49-year-old woman from Norlane was detected drink driving after police witnessed her driving in the wrong direction through a fast-food drive through after apparently not receiving her full order. She was intercepted in the car park by police and recorded a BAC of 0.069 resulting in a loss of licence for 6 months.
• A 39-year-old man from Belmont was detected drink driving after consuming alcohol in Melbourne and returning to Geelong on a train. He was intercepted by police driving home from the train station and detected at 0.065, resulting in a loss of licence for 6 months.
• While on route to Geelong, State Highway Patrol detected a 37-year-old man from Coolaroo travelling at 172km/h. His vehicle was impounded, and he was released pending summons.
• 14 drivers were caught driving while disqualified, suspended or unlicenced.
• 11 vehicles were impounded.
• Five drivers were caught exceeding the speed limit by 25km/h or more. All of their licences were suspended.
New Victoria Police analysis revealed in December last year detections of drivers with a blood alcohol concentration between 0.050 and 0.099 rose six per cent compared with the previous month.
Police are urging motorists to separate their drinking and driving behaviour by planning ahead, arranging a designated driver or using alternative transport.
The penalties are significant for drivers caught over the legal limit.
First-time offenders with a blood alcohol concentration between 0.05 and 0.07 will be fined $595 and have their licence immediately suspended for three months.
The penalties are even harsher for high-range and repeat offenders as well as those aged under 26 or who shouldn’t have any alcohol in their system at all.
Penalties include heftier fines, longer licence suspensions, alcohol interlocks, attendance at court and even jail time for the most serious offences.
Quotes attributable to Senior Sergeant Travis Farnsworth – Geelong and Colac Highway Patrol:
“42 people were caught driving with drugs or too much alcohol in their system over the course of the operation – that’s two drivers detected every hour.
“The vast majority of drink drivers were found with blood alcohol levels between 0.05 and 0.09, which suggests that many either misjudged their alcohol intake or chose to gamble with their safety after a few drinks.
“Our message is clear – if you drink, do not drive.
“We know that impaired driving contributes to serious injury and fatal collisions, so we are doing everything we can to detect and remove these drivers from our roads.
“Police will continue to be out today and every day to keep the community safe on Victorian roads.”
