Nine netted in blitz

By Lia Bichel
POLICE have slammed the behaviour of nine people caught drink driving in Casey on the weekend.
Police caught the drivers during Operation RAID, one of the nation’s biggest road blitzes targeting drug and drink driving.
Hundreds of police from the State Highway Patrol and operations Response Unit saturated the roads as part of the blitz, with a particular focus on 15 high-risk areas for alcohol-related road trauma areas, including Casey.
Casey Highway Traffic Patrol Sergeant Pat McGavigan said he was disappointed with the weekend’s results.
“It’s nine people too many,” he said.
“We advertised and told people we were looking for drink drivers, and still we are catching people. Some people aren’t getting the message.”
Sgt McGavigan said the timing of the operation was perfect.
“It’s party season coming up to Christmas,” he said.
“We want everyone to be safe, so they are able to see Christmas.”
He said police were primarily targeting drink driving, but continue to focus on other traffic offences such as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and speaking on a mobile phone while driving.
He also said police were looking for driving offences on all roads in Casey and not just major highways.
“We will be looking at major roads, smaller streets and back roads,” he said.
“For every way people try to avoid us, we will think of new ways to catch them.”
Operation RAID will continue statewide until 9 December. Deputy Commissioner (Road Policing) Ken Lay said police would be throwing everything they have at detecting drink and drug drivers.
“We have seen far too much trauma on our roads this year and now the warm weather and festive season is upon us- traditionally one of the most dangerous times on our roads. It’s time for celebrating, and with that comes drinking,” he said.
“One of the biggest dangers on our roads continues to be alcohol. This year, about one quarter of drivers killed on our roads had a blood alcohol level about 0.05. People need to understand that drinking and driving kills.”
As part of Operation RAID last year, police removed 1616 drink drivers and 28 drug drivers from Victoria’s roads.