A driver on a mixture of methylamphetamine and cannabis, and another double the blood alcohol limit was among those caught during a four-night operation in Shepparton.
Operation Nightlight, staged from June 26-29, saw general duties police from Shepparton and Mooroopna unite with Shepparton Highway Patrol to target impaired and unauthorised drivers. The presence extended from the early evening right through until the early morning, across Shepparton, Mooroopna, Tatura and Katandra.
A total of 19 drivers were tested for drugs, with two returning positive roadside results, including a 48-year-old Mooroopna man detected with both methylamphetamine and THC – the psychoactive component of cannabis – in his system. He was fined $593 and his licence suspended for six months.
The highly visible police efforts come as 10 people so far this year have been killed on Goulburn Valley roads, compared to 16 deaths at the same time last year.
Operation Nightlight also caught a 40-year-old Cobram man, who was unlicensed and will face court after testing positive for methylamphetamine, also known as speed or ice. His vehicle, which allegedly had false numberplates, was impounded for 30 days.
Police conducted 164 preliminary breath tests, with three drink drivers nabbed. They included a 29-year-old Merrigum man who returned an alleged blood alcohol reading of 0.089 and had his licence immediately suspended.
A 34-year-old Rushworth man returned an alleged blood alcohol content of 0.101. His licence was immediately suspended and his vehicle impounded.
In another vehicle impoundment, a 44-year-old Mooroopna man was caught driving disqualified for the second time in a month. The man will now face a magistrate.
The highly visible police effort comes as 10 people have so far this year been killed on Goulburn Valley roads. It compares with 16 deaths at the same time last year.
There were 155 vehicles and 137 drivers checked. Five people were caught speeding, two of them at more than 25km/h over the posted limit. Both had their licences suspended for three months.
Victoria Police this week released figures showing more than 700 drug drivers are being caught statewide each month.
Local police will continue targeted and proactive patrols in their efforts to keep road users across the Goulburn Valley safe.
Mooroopna Police First Constable Thomas Hoskin said, “Operations like these are crucial in sending a clear message to anyone who chooses to drive when they’re impaired.
“We will find you and you will face the consequences. There is simply no excuse for anyone getting behind the wheel when they’re over the blood alcohol limit or on drugs. The ramifications can be nothing short of catastrophic.
“Every life lost on our roads is preventable and local police will continue doing all we can to reduce road trauma. We’re out across the Shepparton area enforcing the rules 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.”
