By Aneeka Simonis
THREE drugged up motorists and drunk drivers were caught red handed behind the wheel during a “concerning” three-day road operation carried out by Cardinia Highway Patrol.
All drugged drivers were male, testing positive to methamphetamines, cannabis or a combination of both mind-altering drugs during the road operation which ran from Friday 11 November until Sunday 13 November.
Unlicensed drivers, speedsters and other road felons were also pinged in the operation, Sergeant Allen Inderwisch said.
“We are concerned about the results. They weren’t what we expected to get, particularly the higher than usual rate of drug impaired drivers detected,” Sgt Inderwisch said.
Police had a higher than usual strike rate for drivers who tested positive to drugs.
Of those who took part in the road side drug test, 15 per cent showed positive results, or three out of the 19 motorists tested.
“It seems a section of the motoring community don’t understand we can detected them. But our new enforcement technology means we are detecting more now than before,” Sgt Inderwisch said.
Police detected the same number of drink drivers, but out of a far greater sample.
They conducted 1400 preliminary breath tests, and detected three motorists with a positive blood alcohol reading.
Police detected six suspended drivers, four unlicensed drivers, six drivers travelling over the speed limit and five unregistered cars.
Officers handed out five defect notices, and impounded two cars.
Police targeted feeder roads including Princes Highway and Healseville-Kooweerup Road during the operation.
They have vowed to step up their road policing efforts to eliminate more dangerous drivers from local roads.
