Hobsons Bay Police recorded four speeding offences during a five-day road policing operation over the Melbourne Cup long weekend.
Known as Operation Furlong, Victoria Police officers detected more than 5000 offences across the state, with a particular focus on speeding, impaired driving, and distraction.
In Hobsons Bay, other offences included one drink driving offence, one other drink/drug driving offence, one disqualified driving offence and three unlicensed driving offences.
In Maribyrnong, police detected two disobeying signs or signals offences and one mobile phone offence.
Victoria Police road policing Acting Assistant Commissioner Justin Goldsmith said it was a “challenging weekend” across the state’s roads due to wet weather and ongoing flooding.
“However, it did not deter police enforcement efforts, with over 5000 offences detected during our five-day road safety operation,” he said.
“What was extremely concerning to us was the strike rate of drink drivers – one in every 295 drivers we tested were detected for drink driving, which may not seem significant but compared to a month ago where one in every 536 drivers were caught drink driving, the increase in strike rate is quite alarming.”
One in every 295 motorists tested were detected for drink driving offences, which is a significant increase on last month’s strike rate over the AFL Grand Final long weekend where one in every 536 motorists were detected for drink driving.
“As we approach the festive time of the year, we know social events synonymous with alcohol and drug consumption become more frequent,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Goldsmith said.
“With so many alternative transport options available, there is absolutely no excuse for drink and drug driving.
“We will be focusing our efforts on widespread alcohol and drug testing as we head towards the end of the year, so you can be confident you will be tested and caught, even if you’re only a little bit over the limit.”
