Mornington Peninsula worst in state for drink-driving, tops southeast drug-driver list
More drink-drivers were nabbed on the Mornington Peninsula than in any other place in the state over Christmas and the New Year, as hundreds of lawbreakers were busted behind the wheel in the southeastern suburbs. SEE HOW YOUR AREA FARED
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Drivers along the Mornington Peninsula topped the cops’ naughty list over Christmas as police cracked down in a bid to halt the state’s spiralling road toll.
Thousands of drivers across Melbourne’s southeast were gifted with tickets instead of treats during the festive period as Operation Roadwise kicked into full force — with officers honing in on unruly drivers from Glen Eira to the scenic Peninsula.
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More than 1000 tickets were slapped on pedal-heavy speedsters, and almost 90 drug-drivers were plucked from the asphalt, between December 19 and January 5.
Almost 80 intoxicated drivers were nabbed behind the wheel across all areas and nearly 300 people drove without a registered vehicle or license.
Mornington Peninsula racked up the highest amount of drink-drivers in the state as well as the most drug-affected, disqualified, unregistered and unlicensed in Melbourne’s southeast.
The shocking haul comes after speed limits were slashed at the tourist hotspot following community concern about safety.
Glen Eira drivers were the region’s best behaved, with five tipsy drivers pulled over and four caught without registration or license.
Another 59 people — 16 each in Kingston and Dandenong — forgot to buckle up.
And the Christmas crackdown didn’t stop at cars, with 31 cyclists pinged — nearly half of those who cruised through the Peninsula.
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Somerville Highway Patrol Acting Senior Sergeant Danny Lean pleaded for drivers to use the roads “within their capabilities” and warned that impaired drivers would be caught.
He said roads at the tourist-hotspot Peninsula were reduced to 80km/h following last year’s horror road toll.
“We are focused on catching impaired drivers at all times of the year, not just peak times and public holidays,” he said.
“If you are thinking about driving while impaired, we will catch you, impound vehicles and prosecute as best as we can.”
A shocking 264 people lost their lives on Victoria’s roads last year, 52 more than 2018.