Local driver blows 0.152

Licence suspended in police blitz

A MAN has lost his licence after he was caught driving in Waurn Ponds while allegedly three times over the legal blood-alcohol limit.

Police said the man allegedly returned a blood-alcohol reading of 0.152 during a random breath test about 9pm on Wednesday.

His licence was suspended immediately and he will appear in court at a later date.

The driver was one of several intercepted during a 24hour police crackdown on driver behaviour.

Geelong highway patrol

Sergeant Fletcher Pearson said police had been particularly focused on reducing pedestrian-related trauma.

Statewide, 15 pedestrians have died on the roads this year compared with six at the same time last year.

In 2021, five pedestrians were killed on Greater Geelong and Surf Coast roads, with a further 15 injured.

Police detected 75 offences during Wednesday’s crackdown, including three alcohol and drug offences.

“Police were focusing on distraction offences because they have been a major factor in several pedestrian deaths and collisions – this included detecting mobile phone and distraction offences and people walking against red pedestrian lights,” Sergeant Pearson said.

“We are also raising awareness about the dangers of wearing headphones while walking or crossing the road.”

Other identified issues included a high number of speeding offences and a number of people not wearing seatbelts.

Sergeant Pearson said police would continue to conduct high-visibility patrols across the region and patrol near school zones.