By JESSE GRAHAM
DRINK drivers busted over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend have sharply dropped in number, compared to last year, but speedsters have still taken to Yarra Ranges roads in their hundreds.
Last week, Victoria Police released the results of Operation Regal, a state-wide operation run over the Queen’s Birthday weekend from Friday 5 to Monday 8 June.
In the Yarra Ranges, five drivers were charged with drink driving over the weekend, a drop of more than 70 per cent from last year’s result of 17 drink drivers being caught.
But 221 drivers were issued with speeding fines on the weekend, and Acting Superintendent David Griffin, commenting on the state-wide results, said work needed to be done.
Superintendent Griffin said that 2100 drivers were tested for drugs, with 182 returning a positive result – four of these drivers were caught in the Yarra Ranges.
“Seeing one in 12 drivers testing positive for drugs is a real concern,” he said.
Unregistered vehicles, unlicensed or disqualified drivers were also an issue for police over the operation, with more than 1500 offences recorded state-wide across the three categories.
In the Yarra Ranges, 21 drivers were found with unregistered vehicles, six drivers were caught driving while unlicensed and six were caught driving while disqualified or suspended.
Overall, state-wide offences recorded over the weekend dropped by 13 per cent, but Superintendent Griffin said drivers were continuing to behave dangerously.
“It is also worrying that 2345 people were caught speeding and 263 were using their mobile phones,” he said.
“This dangerous behaviour could easily have ended in tragedy and I hope those caught will learn their lesson before their families receive a knock at the door from one of our officers.”
Four drivers were caught driving while using their mobile phones in the Yarra Ranges, 14 drivers were found to be disobeying signs or signals and three people were caught travelling without a seatbelt.
The neighbouring police service area of Cardinia, meanwhile, recorded much lower offences over the weekend, with only 73 speeding drivers caught, 10 unregistered vehicles and one mobile phone offence handed out.
Drivers continued to use the road illegally, however, with four unlicensed drivers and seven disqualified or suspended drivers caught driving.
One driver was charged for drunk driving, and no drivers were found to be under the influence of drugs or driving without seatbelts.
Yarra Ranges and Cardinia police officers each impounded one vehicle over the weekend.
The Mail repeatedly approached the Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol for comment about Operation Regal, but did not receive a response by deadline.
