Police nab drunk and distracted drivers in Melbourne’s north
A hungry driver chowing down on a Macca’s staple was so focused on his meal, he crashed into a car towing a boat. He was one of scores of distracted motorists, speedsters and drink and drug drivers pinged in a crackdown in Melbourne’s north.
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Police in Greensborough, Banyule, Darebin, Whittlesea and Nillumbik cracked down on drink, drug and distracted drivers during statewide Operation Argus over September 5 to 9, targeting road trauma.
They conducted 550 breath tests and 191 drug tests, nabbing 11 drivers with drugs in their system and 10 drink driving.
Greensborough Patrol sergeant John Henderson said Operation Argus was a success in reducing the road toll but it was disappointing to see so many people break the law.
There was only one collision in the area, where a driver was distracted by eating a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder and rear-ended a car towing a boat.
“It wasn’t a very happy meal for that driver,” Sgt Henderson said.
There were 80 speeding offences over the five days of Operation Argus and two cars were impounded for the owners driving with a suspended licence.
There were 15 drivers caught using their phones, copping a $496 fine and four demerit points.
Officers tested from patrol cars, rather than setting up drug and booze buses.
The statewide operation was dedicated to reducing road trauma and tragically concluded with five people losing their lives on Victorian roads.
Road Policing Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Tim Hansen said it was a heartbreaking result.
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“Road trauma is avoidable. It’s only a matter of time before either the law catches up with you or you experience the devastating consequences — and we now have five additional families who can attest to that pain,” Mr Hansen said.
Statewide, the operation clocked 8677 traffic offences and 751 crime offences.
Police nabbed 157 drink drivers and 213 drivers under the influence of drugs, while 615 drivers were caught distracted by phones.
Police will be back on the roads for Operation Scoreboard targeting dangerous drivers on the Grand Final weekend.