Yesterday South Australia Police targeted drink and drug drivers near school zones for Operation Stop Drink/Drug Drive Schools.
It ran during peak school drop off and pick up times of 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm.
During the state-wide Operation, which was held on Monday 10 February, police conducted 1,288 alcotests and 46 drug tests.
Alarmingly, four drivers returned a positive roadside test for Methamphetamine.
This included a 32-year-old woman from Naracoorte, a 40-year-old woman from Valley View, and two 49-year-old men from Port Pirie and Parafield Gardens respectively.
Additionally, an 18-year-old man from Whyalla Norrie and a 24-year-old man from Para Hills both returned positive roadside tests for THC.
Three men were also found drink driving, including a 47-year-old from Mannum who returned a positive blood alcohol reading of 0.134, a 38-year-old from Seaford Rise who returned a reading of 0.074, and a 46-year-old from Glenelg South who returned a reading of 0.058.
A similar operation named Operation Return to School ran over a two day period late last month, and was also conducted during the same peak drop off and pick up times.
During that operation, four motorists tested positive to drugs, including a driver from Woodville Gardens who had a child in the car when they returned a positive roadside test for Methamphetamine.
Inspector Cynthia Healey, Acting Officer in Charge of the Traffic Services Branch, is appalled to see a lack of behaviour change during Operation Stop Drink/Drug Drive Schools.
“Despite public repeated warnings from police, motorists are still doing the wrong thing,” she said.
“It’s not only disappointing, but it’s also selfish.
“You’re not only putting your life in danger, but the lives of people around you, including children who are just trying to get to school.
“We will not accept drink and drug drivers in this state and if you take that risk then you should also take the consequences.”
