Operation tests drivers

Police from across the Baw Baw police services area undertook a targeted drink driving operation last Tuesday.

Units from Trafalgar, Warragul, Rawson, Neerim South and the Baw Baw Highway Patrol were part of Operation Puff, conducting alcohol and drug testing of drivers.

Police conducted 1752 preliminary breath tests on main roads, rural roads and in town centres.

Baw Baw highway patrol sergeant Andrew Milbourne said only one driver was detected with alcohol in their system and they received a penalty notice.

Another driver was detected with illegal drugs in their system. Police are waiting on the result of the saliva test to be returned from forensic testing.

Mr Milbourne said a person was detected with illegal drugs in their vehicle and will be summonsed to appear at court at a later date to face drug related offences.

The operation also resulted in penalty notices for various offences including driving whilst suspended and four vehicle received defect notices requiring owners to bring them up to a roadworthy standard.

“We will continue to target drink drivers over the coming months in an effort to remove them from our roads as part of our vision of towards zero injuries and fatalities on our roads,” Mr Milbourne said.

Baw Baw police services inspector Alison Crombie conducts a preliminary breath test as part of the Operation Puff, which included several police units out and about across West Gippsland last Tuesday.