Despite warnings of an increase in police presence across the state, South Australia Police still caught multiple motorists with methamphetamine, THC and alcohol in their system during yesterday’s Melbourne Cup celebrations.
During the event, seven men and women, with ages ranging from 30 to 54, returned a positive reading for methamphetamine.
Additionally, two people also returned a reading of a methamphetamine and THC combination, while a 19-year-old man from Naracoorte returned a positive reading for THC alone.
There were also 14 positive breath tests on the day, including a 75-year-old man from Prospect who recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.076.
The highest reading was a 22-year-old man from Athol Park with 0.176, followed by a 29-year-old man from Paralowie with a reading of 0.163.
A 66-year-old woman from Woodville South was also found with a child in her car when she returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.119.
The readings were part of Operation Stop Drink/Drug Driving, a police operation held to coincide with the Melbourne Cup.
A total of 2,980 alcotests and 91 drug tests were conducted during the operation.
Superintendent Bob Gray, the Officer in Charge of the Traffic Services Branch, is appalled at the number of drink and drug drivers during the racing event.
“These readings are unacceptable, and there’s absolutely no excuse for this behaviour,” he said.
“No individual can justify getting behind the wheel while drunk or on drugs, there’s no way someone can make sense of that.
“If you take drugs and/or drink drive, you need to accept that your actions are selfish, and you’re endangering not only your life, but the lives of others.
Operation Stop Drink/Drug Driving Melbourne Cup was held yesterday, November 5 from 3pm until 11:30pm.
