More than 250 traffic offences were detected in Melton and Moorabool during the Labour Day long weekend.
Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing, Doug Fryer, said drivers relentlessly flouted the law, despite a high presence of police on the roads.
In Melton, five drink drivers, six drug drivers, 12 disqualified or suspended drivers and five unlicenced drivers were detected.
There were 90 speeding offences detected, 16 unregistered vehicles, six seatbelt offences, four drivers pulled over for disobeying signs, and six for mobile phone offences. Two cars were impounded.
In Moorabool, four drink drivers, three drug drivers and two unlicensed drivers were caught as part of the police blitz.
Police also detected 35 speeding offences and 15 unregistered vehicles, and impounded four cars.
Assistant Commissioner Fryer said too many drivers tested positive for drugs and alcohol.
“It’s disappointing behaviour,” he said. “Don’t take these risks on our roads — it’s not worth your life or someone else’s life.
“Twenty-seven less people have died on our roads this year compared to the same time last year (70), but that is still 43 too many.”
Operation Arid, which ran from Friday, March 10 to Monday, March 13, focused on alcohol and drug testing, fatigue, speed, distraction and seatbelts.
Statewide, police conducted 134,000 breath tests, detecting 312 drink drivers. About 2700 drug tests were also conducted, with one in 16 (168) drivers testing positive for drugs.
One cyclist died during the long weekend.
