POLICE have issued a safety warning to motorists after reporting a spate of road offences on Tuesday – including a driver alleged to have been almost four times the legal blood-alcohol limit.
According to police, the incidents included a 38-year-old learner driver driving without L-plates displayed who was issued two fines worth $1186 and four demerit points.
They said a 19-year-old Woorinen local was issued a ticket for $395 and three demerit points for driving at 126km/h in a 100km/h zone on Chillingollah Road.
A 41-year-old female from Swan Hill was immediately prohibited from driving after police recorded a positive oral fluid test for cannabis. She was issued a $593 fine and a suspension from driving in Victoria for six months.
A 62-year-old man who was stopped on the Murray Valley Highway at Nyah after his driving manner caught the eye of police was said to have recorded a .186 blood-alcohol concentration in a roadside breath test. Full-licence drivers are required to be below .05.
Police said the man’s car was immediately impounded and he would answer a summons to attend court at a later date.
Swan Hill police Acting Senior Sergeant Matthew Wade said the outcome provided a snapshot of the highway patrol’s capabilities.
“That’s what we see week in, week out; we’re dealing with intoxicated offenders or offences that may seem minor at the time, but they all play a part in keeping our roads safe,” he said.
“This shows that when we’re out and about we do come across these things frequently, and with the hard work of the members on the day they were able to have a really busy day.
“We have police all throughout our local government area, and patrolling back roads is definitely a focus for us.”
Speed, intoxication from drugs and alcohol, and distraction were monitored by highway patrol and uniformed officers.
“Being such a large community that covers such a large area with lots of back roads, we focus on these things because they cause a large amount of collisions,” Sen-Sgt Wade said.
“We are maintaining a visual presence on the road so drivers are reminded they need always need to pay attention and drive safely.”
