Police detected 58 drug drivers during a large-scale road safety operation at Carrick on Monday following Party in the Paddock.

With a focus on drug driving, officers conducted 178 oral fluid tests during the 8-hour operation – with the majority of drivers returning positive results for MDMA (ecstasy). 

Of note, one of the drug drivers was also unlicensed and driving an unregistered vehicle.

During the targeted operations, police also conducted 2770 random breath tests, with 4 drink drivers detected – the highest reading being 0.09.

One passenger was detected for failing to wear a seatbelt.

Acting Inspector Jareth Anderson said it was incredibly disappointing drivers continued to put not only their own lives at risk, but the lives of all other road users.

“Driving while affected by any illicit substance is incredibly dangerous, and while we continued our broader focus on random breath tests, our officers this year conducted a significant amount of oral fluid tests.”

“We are very proactive in our road safety messaging, and the community knows we will be conducting traffic operations following events such as Party in the Paddock, so it is disappointing that 58 people still chose to take drugs and drive.”

Police would like to thank the community for their cooperation and patience during the extended operation.