Police alarmed at high number of New Year’s revellers getting behind the wheel

Police have revealed a disturbing recent trend during New Year’s celebrations in Victoria.

A startling number of boozed-up motorists have run the gauntlet on New Year’s Eve, prompting a police warning to Victorians not to take the risk of drink driving.

New Victoria Police analysis shows over the past three years almost half of drink drivers detected on New Year’s Day were caught between midnight and 6am.

Police believe many New Year’s Eve revellers miscalculate their alcohol intake while others simply decide to ignore the rules and get behind the wheel after a night of boozing.

Victoria Police’s Assistant Commissioner of Road Policing Glenn Weir urged motorists not to start the new year in the back of a police car.

Road safety Police Commissioner Glenn Weir is warning about drink-driving risks this New Year period. Picture: Jason Edwards

“A hangover lasts a day. Road trauma lasts a lifetime,’’ Mr Weir said.

“We want everyone to separate their drinking and driving.

“Even if you’ve only had a few drinks, don’t risk it.’’

The data from 2021 to 2023 showed that 68 drink drivers were detected from midnight to 6am compared with 145 across the entire New Year’s Day.

About two thirds of those caught drink driving on January 1 recorded blood alcohol readings of between 0.05 and 0.099 — the lower end of the scale.

That data suggested that many were indeed running the gauntlet.

All Victoria Police booze buses will be operating over the New Year period.

But heavy drinkers were still to be caught in police operations including booze buses.

The statistics also showed that one in 10 of those caught blew 0.15 or above over the past three years.

This year’s Victorian road toll has reached 279 lives lost, 14 fewer that at the same time last year.

Deaths among vulnerable road users have dominated the horror 2024 data.

Police believe many New Year’s Eve revellers miscalculate their alcohol intake while others simply decide to ignore the rules. Picture: Alan Barber

More cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists have been killed this year compared to 2023.

Victoria Police’s Operation Roadwise launched on December 13 and continues until January 2.

Mr Weir said thousands of drivers would be tested over New Year’s Eve and the next day.

“Even if you’re a first-time offender who is just over the limit you’ll receive a substantial fine and be disqualified from driving. It’s simply not worth chancing it.’’

First-time offenders with a low-range reading will be fined $593 and disqualified from driving for three months.