20 from 119 test positive to drug driving

Drug-affected drivers were the focus of a three-day long police operation on the far South Coast last week.

Operation Guardian was conducted by officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and South Coast Police District between Wednesday 25 November and Friday 27 November 2020.

The operation targeted drivers in the Batemans Bay, Merimbula, Narooma and Eden areas.

Over three days, 119 random drug tests and 122 random breath tests were conducted, with 20 drug-affected drivers arrested as a result.

Twelve traffic infringement notices were issued, four people were fined for speeding, six future court attendance notices were issued, and eight vehicles were searched.

South Coast Police District Commander, Superintendent Greg Moore APM, said the number of drug-affected drivers is a real cause for concern.

“To have twenty people test positive to drug driving is absolutely disgraceful,” Supt Moore said.

“That’s twenty people who have made an active decision to take prohibited drugs and get behind the wheel.

“We are very fortunate that there were no fatalities or serious injuries as a result of this kind of behaviour.”