Members of Southern District, Road and Public Order Services commenced random alcohol and drug testing at Bream Creek, at 6.00 am on New Year’s Day.

The high visibility operation which is conducted annually at Bream Creek is specifically designed to deter motorists from driving after consuming intoxicating liquor and or drugs.

Shortly after commencing the high visibility operation, motorists were detected driving in contravention of the Road safety (Alcohol & Drugs) Act 1970.

The attending police conducted 2170 Random Breath Tests.  As a result of breath testing, 8 motorists were charged with exceeding the legal limit (0.05%), and 3 other motorists were charged for driving with an alcohol concentration in their blood in contravention of their licence conditions.

Police also conducted 29 Oral Fluid Drug tests, which resulted in 13 motorists being charged for  driving with a prescribed illicit drug in blood

Inspector John Ward of Southern District Road and Public Order Services said he is confident the early morning operation conducted at Bream Creek may have prevented a tragedy on our roads.

The inspector makes no apology for his teams actions, and stated the rationale for the early morning policing activity was not only to deter illegal driving aimed at reducing fatal and serious crashes, the operation was also aimed at detecting motorists who commence driving before the effects of alcohol and / or drug consumption from the night before had dissipated from motorist’s blood.

The ill-considered actions of the 24 motorists charged was disgraceful and without doubt contemptuous, as the majority of those intercepted and charged were aware the alcohol and drug testing operation was in progress.

Early morning operations will be a continued focus across the Southern District for his team into the future, and the road safety activities at Bream Creek will occur again next year.