Alarming new daytime drink driving trend

A sharp rise in Victorians getting on the beers during the day and then getting behind the wheel has prompted a crackdown on boozers “run the gauntlet” during daylight hours.

The daytime drink driving trend has alarmed Victoria Police bosses. Picture: iStock

An increasing number of Victorians have been getting on the beers during the day and then getting behind the wheel.

The latest trend for daytime drinking and driving has alarmed Victoria Police bosses who have issued a warning to motorists that police were on alert 24/7.

New police analysis found that one in five drink drivers fined for a blood alcohol reading of up to 0.15 was caught during daylight hours.

Assistant Commissioner of Road Policing Glenn Weir said many people had the misconception that drink driving only occurred after dark but the infringement numbers showed otherwise.

“This data shows there’s a lot of offending in the day,’’ Mr Weir said.

“That’s why police are out breath-testing motorists around-the-clock.

“If you think you can run the gauntlet, be it day or night, think again.’’

The figures revealed that about 1200 of the almost 4900 people who were caught drink driving in the last financial year were nabbed between 6am and 6pm – and more than 400 were caught between 6am and noon alone.

The warning comes during what police consider a high-risk month for road trauma.

May is a high-risk month for road trauma, according to Victoria Police. Picture: iStock

Last May, 29 people were killed, with alcohol a key factor in many of the deaths. So far this month, nine people have died on the state’s roads.

The analysis only covers those who recorded BAC readings of between 0.05 and 0.15.

Police have conducted early-morning operations to detect daytime drink drivers, as part of the three million breath tests conducted every year statewide.

Police Command also pointed out that every police car had breath-testing capability.

Despite the nuisance of daytime drink-driving, the period between 6pm to midnight was still the most common time for drink drivers to be caught.

And Saturday was the busiest day of the week for detections, followed by Sunday, Friday and Thursday.

Drink driving offences incur heavy fines and a loss of licence.

The penalties for drink driving were severe, Mr Weir said.

“The consequences of a being involved in a crash are even more serious and last a lifetime.

“Drinking and driving simply isn’t worth the risk.”

The police warning comes after the TAC launched a new road safety campaign on Sunday warning motorists about driving while fatigued or sleep-deprived.

So far this year 106 people have died on Victoria’s roads, compared to 115 at the same time last year.