Cops’ driver clamp down

AUSTRALIA’S biggest drink-driving operation kicked off last week, with police across the country preparing to breath-test more than half a million motorists in the next three weeks.
Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) runs until 11.59pm on Saturday 12 December.
Casey Traffic Management Unit (TMU) Sergeant Pat McGavigan said police had already done around 540 preliminary breath tests throughout the municipality, and discovered one driver exceeding the prescribed alcohol limit.
The operation is timed to target motorists in the lead up to the busy holiday period, traditionally a time where alcohol consumption increases and more motorists travel between the states.
During Operation RAID last year, police throughout Australia conducted some 569,000 breath tests in three weeks, and charged more than 4000 motorists with drink or drug driving offences.
More than 390,000 breath tests were conducted in Victoria alone.
Sgt McGavigan said drivers needed to consider how important their licences were to them before getting behind the wheel with alcohol and drugs in their system.
“More importantly they need to think about what they would do if they were involved in road trauma,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner for Road Policing Ken Lay said during Operation RAID there was nowhere to hide for drunk and drugged motorists.
Mr Lay said alcohol continued to be one of the biggest killers on our roads.
“Last year 50 drivers and motorcyclists were killed with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 and over,” he said. “Those 50 represent 28 per cent of all the drivers and motorcyclists that were killed on Victorian roads last year. “It’s a staggering and frightening figure.”
Across Australia, there have been 1282 road deaths this year to the end of October.
Mr Lay said the high visibility of the crack-down operation should act as a deterrent to any motorist thinking of breaking the law.
“We’re happy to tell Victorians that we’ll be breath-testing more than 300,000 drivers in the next three weeks,” he said. “That way, there is no excuse for any motorist to drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs, not to mention speeding, using a mobile phone or a whole range of other traffic offences.”
Mr Lay has some simple advice for motorists wanting to avoid trouble this holiday season.
“By planning ahead, you can avoid being caught in a situation where you have had a few drinks but still have the car keys in your pocket,” he said.
“If you do intend to drink, organise a designated driver, have someone pick you up, catch a taxi or use public transport. That way, you’ll not only avoid a hefty fine and licence suspension, but you’ll avoid a Christmas tragedy.”