59 drivers caught over .05 on the Ring Road

59 drivers have been caught over .05 on the Western Ring Road in Derrimut during Operation Cerberus across the weekend.

The booze bus operation was conducted on Friday and Saturday night resulting in 25 vehicles being impounded.

On Saturday night, officers were shocked to discover one driver recorded an alleged evidentiary breath test reading of .249, almost five times the legal limit.

Members from Melton and Brimbank Highway Patrols in co-operation with RPDAS, Heavy Vehicle Unit, State Highway Patrol and Fawkner and Westgate Highway Patrols breath tested 4309 drivers.

Over the weekend three drivers were clocked travelling more than 45km/h over the speed limit, five drivers were caught driving without a valid license and one learner was discovered driving unaccompanied.

Police detected more than 27 heavy vehicle offences, 14 defects and one heavy vehicle driver over .05.

Victoria Police conducts 3 million preliminary breath tests annually.

Drink drivers face hefty penalties. First time offenders who are fully licensed and over 26 years of age caught with a blood alcohol limit between 0.05 and 0.07 receiving a $611 fine and immediate three-month license 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 or drug driving offences and those caught over 0.07 or above.

The consequences include larger fines, longer license suspensions, alcohol interlocks, attendance at court and even jail time for the most serious offences.

Senior Constable Paul Hogan

Media Unit

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