By Mitchell Clarke
Nine drug drivers and one drink driver were detected in the Cardinia Shire during Victoria Police’s long weekend operation.
Operation Regal was launched over the Queen’s Birthday in a bid to prevent road trauma, as more vehicles hit the road for a weekend getaway.
The operation targeted the biggest contributors to the state’s growing road toll, including speeding, drink and drug drivers, fatigue, driver distraction and people not wearing seatbelts.
Police caught five disqualified drivers, six unlicensed drivers and found 14 unregistered vehicles across Cardinia. Two vehicles were impounded.
In Casey, four drink drivers and seven drug drivers were nabbed, while four disqualified drivers, 12 unlicensed drivers and 25 unregistered vehicles were detected.
A total of 86 and 113 speeding offences were recorded in Cardinia and Casey respectively.
Tragically, a 30-year-old man lost his life over the weekend in Hoddles Creek, near Gembrook.
The motorcyclist is believed to have failed to negotiate a bend before he collided with a tree on Sunday 7 June.
The fatality brings the total number of lives lost on Victorian roads to 99 people.
The same day, Cardinia Highway Patrol intercepted a Holden wagon for a license and registration check.
The driver, a 34-year-old Pakenham man, informed police he didn’t have a license, and further checks revealed the man had been disqualified for 12 months due to drug driver.
He refused to accompany police for a roadside drug test and will now be required to face court.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy said despite all the warnings, people continued to engage in risky behaviour.
“We want people to take road trauma seriously. One life is too many, let alone close to 100 Victorians who will not be around to see the year end,” AC Murphy said.
“If nothing else, think about the grief and sadness your loves ones will have to go through should you not make it home, or the pain they will have to endure visiting you in a jail cell from killing someone else.”
Across the state, 10,743 traffic offences and 847 crimes were detected, including 269 drink drivers and 146 drug drivers.
Operation Regal began from 12.01am on Friday 5 June and ran until 11.59pm on Monday 8 June.
