By ANEEKA SIMONIS
SEVEN drink-drivers were caught by police during the recent long-weekend operation in Cardinia Shire.
Cardinia Highway Patrol Sergeant Allen Inderwisch said the drivers were picked up as part of 1450 breath tests carried out during Operation Furlong, held between 30 October and midnight on Melbourne Cup day.
He said it was disappointing to find drivers putting others’ lives at risk during the busy period.
“To detect seven drink-drivers is disappointing. It raises quite a bit of concern for us,” Sgt Inderwisch said.
“Drivers are aware we are out in force over the weekend and during public events and we are still detecting people breaking the law.”
In total, highway patrol police in Cardinia Shire detected 136 offences on local roads – mainly related to speed as well as licence and registration issues.
Sgt Inderwisch said no major road accidents occurred in Cardinia Shire over the period.
“To that end, we are quite happy. However, we are going to ramp up enforcement around road offenders. Drivers need to be aware that if they break the law, they will be caught,” he said.
State-wide statistics from the road operation returned more concerning results.
Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer highlighted the “unacceptable” number of people detected for drug and drink driving.
“The numbers from Operation Furlong equate to one in 527 under the influence of alcohol and one in seven under the influence of drugs,” he said.
“Pair the effects of these substances with the fact that we detected nearly 3000 speeding offences, nearly 400 mobile phone offences and more than 300 seat belt offences and we have a dangerous mix on our hands.”
He criticised drivers putting others’ lives at risk.
“People are consistently flouting the law and putting themselves and other members of the public at risk,” Mr Fryer said.
“If you plan to drink or use drugs, simply plan not to drive. The alternative is killing themselves or someone else while under the influence of drugs.”
Police are continuing to carry out road safety operations across the shire.
