By Mitchell Clarke
Four drunk drivers and eight drug drivers were detected dodging the law throughout the Cardinia shire over the Labour Day long weekend.
Victoria Police warned motorists they’d be out in force during the four-day Operation Arid, which targeted the key causes of death and serious injury on our roads, including speed, fatigue, driver distraction, seatbelt offences and impaired driving.
Among the infringements issued in the shire, four drink drivers, eight drug drivers, six disqualified drivers, seven unlicensed drivers and 11 unregistered vehicles.
Across the state, 8060 traffic offences were recorded, with officers disappointed to see so many examples of people excessively speeding.
On the morning of Friday 6 March, officers detected a vehicle travelling at 107km in a 80km zone along Dalmore Road, Cardinia.
Police pulled in behind the vehicle and activated the lights and sirens, but were shocked to witness the driver jump into the back seat and the front passenger move into the driver’s seat – all whilst the vehicle was still in motion at 80 kilometres.
The original driver, who fled the front seat because he had a disqualified license, was arrested and will face the Dandenong Magistrates Court at a later date.
Meanwhile, police intercepted a red Mazda on Smethurst Avenue, Pakenham who decided to do a burnout in front of a marked police officer.
That driver will also face court – the 19-year-old was found to be driving on a suspended licence.
Road Policing Command assistant commissioner Libby Murphy said speedsters were simply not getting the message.
“This type of behaviour will not be tolerated by Victoria Police,” AC Murphy said.
“Our bodies are a fragile thing and there is only so much force we can take before we are seriously injured or killed in a crash.
“If we throw into the mix country roads, limited visibility at night and inexperienced driving – it is a recipe for disaster.”
An elderly woman was lucky to survive a horror crash in Pakenham after a car which was being driven by a group of teens allegedly ran a red light and crashed into her at speed.
Meanwhile, a Pakenham man was charged with an array of offences following a high-speed crash which closed the Monash Freeway to a standstill.
Police believe the 21-year-old had been driving erratically, speeding down the emergency lane before he clipped the back of a truck and lost control in Narre Warren.
AC Murphy added it was “lucky” that none of these incidents resulted in a more severe outcome.
“Even though the operation is over, we urge drivers to stay safe on the road,” she said.
Operation Arid ran from 12.01am on Friday 6 March and finished at 11.59pm on Monday 9 March.
