It was a busy morning for the Cardinia Highway Patrol on Wednesday 17 November, after officers detected five drug drivers within the space of six hours.
All five drivers, who tested positive for either cannabis or methylamphetamine, had their licences suspended and some will be facing court to explain their actions.
Their busy morning kicked off at 7.43am, when a 28 year-old man from Clyde was intercepted on the Princes Highway in Officer.
He returned a positive drug test to cannabis and received a $545 fine as well as a six month suspension of his licence.
At 8.36am, a 47 year-old male from Heathmont was intercepted on Brunt Road in Beaconsfield.
He returned a positive drug test to methylamphetamine and will receive a summons to attend court at a later date.
Then at 10.23am, a 36 year-old male from Pakenham was intercepted on Windermere Boulevard in Pakenham.
He returned a positive drug test to methylamphetamine and will also receive a summons to attend court at a later date.
The vehicle the 36 year-old man was driving was also in an un-roadworthy condition and received a defect notice.
At 11.09am, a 40 year-old old male from Officer was intercepted by police on Cardinia Road in Officer.
The man returned a positive drug test to cannabis and will receive a summons to attend court at a later date.
And then to round it all out, a 46 year-old male from Pakenham was intercepted on the Princes Highway in Officer at 1.08pm.
He returned a positive drug test to cannabis and will also receive a summons to attend court.
Highway patrol officers reminded community members that illicit drugs remained in a person’s system a lot longer than you’d expect, and they urged everyone to stay safe on the roads.
“Be expected to be drug tested at anytime and anywhere,” they said.
All drivers who return a positive roadside drug test receive an immediate driving prohibition notice for at least 24 hours.
You can expect to lose your licence for six months and receive a fine of $545 for a first offence and a date with a magistrate for subsequent offending.
Police reminded everyone that drug driving would not be tolerated.
