More than 5000 offences were detected by Victoria Police during Operation Scoreboard over the AFL Grand Final long weekend.
The statewide road policing operation saw police targeting high-risk driving behaviour, with increased roadside alcohol and drug testing conducted over the four days.
“It was a busy weekend across the state’s roads as many Victorians made the most of a long weekend and the school holidays, enjoying the AFL Grand Final celebrations and some great spring weather,” road policing assistant commissioner, Glenn Weir said.
“It was also a busy weekend for Victoria Police, with our members detecting over 5000 offences in four days during Operation Scoreboard.”
“We had a major focus on drink and drug drivers this weekend, and concerningly, despite our warnings to motorists, we have again seen incredibly high strike rates for those caught over the legal limit for alcohol and drugs.”
One in every 555 drivers who were breath tested were caught over the legal alcohol limit, with 192 drink driving offences detected from 106,519 preliminary breath tests.
A further 138 drug driving offences were detected from 2775 roadside drug tests – a strike rate of one in every 20 drivers testing positive to drugs.
“If you think you can drink or take drugs and drive – think again. As the weather increases and we head towards the end of the year, our fleet of alcohol and drug testing vehicles will be out conducting testing anywhere, anytime, and at every opportunity,” Mr Glenn said.
“It was also concerning to detect so many unauthorised drivers over the weekend – these are people who have typically have their licence removed for committing a serious offence and are continuing to drive when they shouldn’t, putting other road users at risk. We cannot tolerate this.”
“Police will continue to prioritise road policing enforcement and doing all we can to prevent further trauma on our roads this year.”
Police also utilised automatic numberplate recognition technology to detect 375 drivers who are banned from being on the roads, either for being disqualified, suspended or unlicensed.
The total 5088 offences detected during Operation Scoreboard included:
2179 speeding offences
444 unregistered vehicles
375 disqualified/suspended and unlicenced drivers
234 disobey signs/signals
192 drink driving offences from 106,519 preliminary breath tests
146 mobile phone offences
138 drug driving offences from 2775 roadside drug tests
107 vehicle impoundments; and
84 seatbelt offences
With the second week of school holidays underway in Victoria, police are urging motorists to remain vigilant behind the wheel.
Those travelling around the state are being urged to stick to speed limits, take plenty of breaks on long trips and avoid distractions like using mobile phones while driving.
Police will continue to conduct local road policing enforcement in high-risk areas, particularly on major highways to regional areas and around holiday hotspots.
Operation Scoreboard ran from 12.01am Thursday 25 September to 11.59pm on Sunday 28 September.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.
