51 Impaired drivers caught during Monash Freeway blitz

Police caught 51 drink and drug drivers during a major road policing operation on the Monash Freeway over the weekend.

Operation Colossus, which was conducted over Friday and Saturday nights, saw police conducting high volume alcohol and drug testing on the Monash Freeway at Dandenong North, targeting impaired drivers.

Police conducted more than 4,000 preliminary breath tests, with 45 drivers caught exceeding the alcohol limit.

A 33-year-old man from Clyde North provided an evidentiary breath test 0.168. His license was immediately suspended and his vehicle impounded.

Six drivers also tested positive for drugs, with police detecting one in every 88 drivers impaired by either drugs or alcohol.

Victoria Police is warning motorists there is a zero tolerance to drink and drug driving, with significant penalties for those who disregard the rules.

First time offenders who are fully licenced and over 26 years of age caught with a blood alcohol limit between 0.05 and 0.07 will receive a $611 fine and immediate three-month licence suspension.

The penalties increase substantially for those under 26 years of age, those required to have a zero blood or breath alcohol level, those caught for second or subsequent drink driving offences, and those caught over 0.07 or above – including larger fines, longer licence suspensions, alcohol interlocks, attendance at court and even jail time for the most serious offences. 

Exceeding the prescribed concentration of drugs while driving carries a $611 penalty and a six-month licence suspension.

15 vehicles were impounded across the operation for a range of offences including speeding.

Police detected five drivers travelling at 45+ km/h above the speed limit.

A further 15 drivers were stopped for having an unauthorised license and four defect notices were given.

Operation Colossus was conducted by Greater Dandenong Highway Patrol members, with support from uniform police, State Highway Patrol and the Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section.

Victoria Police will continue to conduct several major road policing operations targeting impaired drivers over the coming months.

Motorists should expect to be tested – anywhere, anytime.

Media Unit

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