A major traffic operation has resulted in 78 motorists being caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
South Australia Police conducted Operation Stop Drink Drug Drive from Friday 16 to Sunday 28 July. The operation involved both static and mobile testing across metropolitan and rural South Australian roads.
The operation returned 29 positive drug and 44 illegal blood alcohol level detections. Five additional drivers failed or refused to comply with an alcohol or drug test.
Police issued 56 Immediate Loss of Licence notices and impounded 27 vehicles during the operation period.
A 35-year-old Mount Barker man returned the highest reading with a BAC of 0.253, 5 times the legal limit. Police issued him with a 12-month Immediate Loss of Licence and impounded his vehicle.
A 23-year-old man from Whyalla recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.095 after performing burnouts approximately 50 metres ahead of a police vehicle. Police issued him with a 6-month Immediate Loss of Licence and impounded his vehicle.
The previous Operation Stop Drink Drug Drive took place over the King’s Birthday long weekend from 7 to 10 June, during which 67 drivers were detected for alcohol or drug related offences.
Superintendent Darren Fielke, Officer in Charge Traffic Services Branch appealed to all drivers to assess their fitness to drive before a police officer does.
“Operation Stop Drink Drug drive is a key road safety operation that focuses operational police resources toward drink and drug driving detections around the State,” he said.
“These results show that the good news is most people are doing the right thing. But the bad news is 76 drivers made the wrong decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.
“If you’re driving, you have a responsibility to do so safely and a duty of care for others. South Australia Police will continue to target road users who make the wrong choice to keep sending a message that if you’re doing the wrong thing, you will be caught.”
Stop Drink Drug Drive operations are one phase of ‘Operation Safe Roads 2023-2026’ with a mission to target ‘fatal five’ offences on South Australian roads.
On 22nd July 2024, South Australia Police announced plans to expand drug testing capabilities to include cocaine hydrochloride from 2025.
