Spike in drug-affected drivers across Diamond Valley ‘frightening’
Diamond Valley police were kept busy over the holiday period, nabbing a “frightening” amount of drivers affected with drugs and even catching a ute with 18 people piled inside it.
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Police are noticing a “frightening” increase in motorists driving under the influence of drugs this holiday season compared to past years across Diamond Valley.
Acting Senior Sergeant Ashley Hodges said police became aware of the rise during their Christmas and New Year road blitz, Operation Roadwise.
“People aren’t just going out partying and drinking, they’re going out partying and popping pills,” he said.
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“It’s frightening the amount of people on the roads affected by drugs during this operation. “Drugs typically don’t take as long to affect someone as it does with alcohol so they drive thinking they’re fine, when they aren’t.”
Acting Sen-Sgt Hodges said the number of drink drivers was down compared to previous years.
But police were shocked after seeing a ute packed with 18 people, turn directly in front of them in Montmorency on December 21.
Ten people were piled into the tray of the five-seater Ford ute, while six people were crammed along the back seat in addition to a passenger and driver.
Acting Sen-Sgt Hodges said the group of tradesmen had been drinking and celebrating after knocking off work when they piled into the ute and turned onto Hoban Ave into the path of police about 7.45pm.
A 46-year-old Montmorency man driving the vehicle record an alcohol reading of .071 and will be charged on summons with drink driving and other driving offences.
“We’ve never seen anything like this before — had they have been 30 seconds quicker or 30 seconds slower we would have missed them,” Acting Sen-Sgt Hodges said.
“It is so dangerous because in an accident the people in the vehicle would all hit each other and become human missiles.”
The ute was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $890.
Acting Sen-Sgt Hodges reminded drivers to take care on the roads.
“It is still school holidays and a really busy time for us,” he said.
“Stick to the 50km/h speed limit on residential roads, watch out for young children playing in the streets — we want everyone to have fun, but we want to prevent tragedy where we can.”
He also warned drivers about ongoing road works in January at the Yan Yean Rd-Diamond Valley Rd-Aqueduct Rd intersection.
“Roads around this area will be congested so we ask drivers to be patient and allow enough travel time,” he said.
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