By Luke Voogt
A Corio man clocked at 177km/h was among 32 drug-drivers that police caught during a week-long operation in Colac.
Police observed the 39-year-old man drifting in and out of his lane in a 100km/h zone with other vehicles in close proximity, they alleged.
Officers intercepted the vehicle and the driver tested positive for drugs in his system. He is scheduled to face court at a later date.
Colac Highway Patrol Sergeant Patrick Brady warned that police were still out in force conducting breath-testing and drug tests.
“Often impaired drivers attract attention to themselves by committing other offences or are reported by members of the public for their poor driving,” he said.
“There is a perception in the community that you can take drugs and drive, and you won’t get caught.
“That simply is not the case, and the disappointing results from this operation proves that.”
Police nabbed motorists for a total of 45 traffic offences and arrested four people for possession of a drug of dependence during Operation Lockdown in the last week of October.
The offences included two drink-drivers, 32 drug-drivers, three suspended or unlicensed drivers, three speeding offences, one seatbelt offence, three unregistered vehicles and 10 unroadworthy vehicles.
Sergeant Brady slammed motorists who endangered themselves and others by driving under the influence.
“Drugs can slow down reaction times, distort perception of speed and distance and reduce concentration and coordination when driving,” he warned.
Police also pulled over two different drug-drivers on two different days behind the wheel of the same vehicle in Colac.
On October 25 they pulled over a 40-year-old man from Colac on Stodart Street, Colac, about 9.50pm.
He returned a positive preliminary oral fluid test, police said.
Police intercepted the same vehicle on Queen Street, Colac, last Friday.
This time a 27-year-old Colac woman was behind the wheel. She also returned a positive preliminary oral fluid test, police said.
