A sweeping crackdown across Cardinia has uncovered a surge in drug use, drink driving, speeding and dangerous behaviour, with police increasing patrols to save lives.
A learner driver is among 30 motorists recently caught on drugs as police go all-out to keep Cardinia’s roads safe.
Cardinia Highway Patrol has staged multiple operations targeting drug and drink driving in recent weeks. The effort has extended to side streets to nab drivers thinking they can outsmart the law.
It comes as new Victoria Police figures show more than 700 drug drivers are being caught statewide each month.
On 24 June, Cardinia Highway Patrol drug tested more than 125 motorists on the Princes Highway at Pakenham as part of Operation Redline.
Ten drug drivers were detected roadside, including a 22-year-old learner driver from Pakenham who tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis. They were fined $593 and their learner’s permit suspended for six months.
Local highway patrol units have been regularly deploying to side and secondary streets across Cardinia to target drug drivers as well as those over the blood alcohol limit.
Operation Cleave has been staged on 21 occasions over the last three months. A total 23 impaired drivers, consisting of three drink drivers and 20 drug drivers, were caught from the more than 2500 preliminary breath tests and 139 roadside drug tests conducted.
Almost 240 people were caught speeding. The penalties for drug driving are severe, even for first time offenders who will be fined $611.
Repeat drug drivers face fines of up to $24,421 and will have their licence cancelled for at least 12 months.
Police don’t just enforce, they can also refer drug drivers to support services to help break the cycle of harm.
Cardinia Highway Patrol will continue targeted and proactive patrols in their efforts to keep road users across the area safe.
Statewide Victoria Police conducts 150,000 roadside drug tests and 3 million breath tests each year.
More than 700 drug drivers are being caught on Victoria’s roads each month as police go all-out to catch those trying to avoid detection.
New analysis shows methylamphetamine – also known as speed or ice – was present in three quarters of all detections. Almost one in five drivers caught had multiple illicit drugs in their system.
Cardinia Highway Patrol Acting Inspector David Hewatt said “whether it’s targeted operations or proactive patrols, we are focused on removing drug and drink drivers from Cardinia’s roads”.
“There is simply no excuse for anyone getting behind the wheel when they’re over the blood alcohol limit or on drugs,” he said.
“Not only do you face hefty fines and loss of your licence but irrevocable trauma.
“Cardinia Highway Patrol is out anywhere, any time.
“Ultimately, we want all road users to take responsibility for their actions and make better choices that will keep themselves, their passengers and all road users safe.”
Superintendent Justin Goldsmith, Road Policing Command warned “drug drivers who think they can outsmart police should think again”.
“We’re out anywhere, any time testing for drugs,” he said.
“Every highway patrol car is a drug bus which means there’s nowhere to hide.
“That includes side streets, where we tactically deploy to catch out motorists actively trying to avoid police.
“The penalties for drug driving are severe, even if you’re a first-time offender.
“We can also link drug users with support services to help break the cycle of harm.”
