A major police blitz in Geelong over the weekend resulted in 16 drink and drug drivers caught and 28 others nabbed for a range of offences.
High-volume alcohol and tested during Operation Lockdown was conducted on major arterial roads in North and South Geelong.
Police conducted 2620 preliminary breath tests, with six drivers caught exceeding the alcohol limit.
A 51-year-old Bannockburn man blew more than three times the legal limit, returning an alleged reading of 0.173. He had his vehicle impounded for 30 days and will face court at a later date.
Police also impounded the vehicle of a 43-year-old Jan Juc man after he returned an alleged reading of 0.153. He will face court at a later date.
Ten drivers tested positive for drugs, with police conducting 77 roadside drug tests during the operation.
This includes a 46-year-old Charlton woman who allegedly tried to avoid a testing site and was then tested positive for methamphetamine/MDMA.
“With 13 lives lost in the Geelong and Surf Coast areas this year, we are urging drivers not to get by the wheel while impaired,” Acting Senior Sergeant Geelong and Colac Highway Patrol Chris McCran said.
“The last thing we want to do around Christmas time is knock on families’ doors to tell them their loved ones are not coming home.
“If you’re planning to have a drink over the festive season our message is simple: don’t drive – leave the car at home, arrange a designated driver or use ride-share services.
“Police will continue to have a strong presence across Geelong and Surf Coast during this period and drivers should expect to be tested anywhere, anytime.”
Police also detected 12 disqualified/suspended/unlicenced drivers, nine unregistered vehicles, and seven speeding offences over the two-night operation.
Operation Lockdown was conducted by Geelong and Colac Highway Patrol members with support from uniform police, State Highway Patrol and the Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section.
It ran overnight on Friday 19 December and Saturday 20 December.
