Results of Operation RAID announced

14 Dec 2008

MEDIA RELEASE: 14th December 2008

Police and Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron today issued a strong warning to motorists taking to the roads over the Christmas season.

“It is extremely disappointing that some drivers are still not getting the message - if you drink and drive you will get caught, if you drive on drugs you will get caught and if you speed you will get caught,” Mr Cameron said.

Announcing the results of Operation RAID with Assistant Commissioner Ken Lay, Mr Cameron congratulated Victoria Police on their efforts during the campaign, which finished last night.

“During the operation Victoria Police conducted over 393,385 random breath tests detecting 1677 drink-drivers,” Mr Cameron said.

“A total of 52 drug drivers were also detected. In addition, 7622 motorists were caught speeding, there were 1929 seatbelt offences and 15,222 other traffic offences, including the use of mobile phones while driving.”

“I find these numbers staggering, and while Victoria Police are doing a great job in removing speeding and impaired drivers from our roads, I urge all motorists to take more care on our roads, especially over the upcoming Christmas holiday period.

Mr Cameron also launched the latest stage of TAC’s Christmas enforcement campaign that reminds risky drivers that they will be caught by Victoria Police before someone gets hurt.

The ad, which features Assistant Commissioner Ken Lay depicts a sobering account of police officers having to inform a family they have lost a loved one.

“If you get behind the wheel and drive drunk or on drugs or if you speed; if you’re lucky, you will get caught, if you’re unlucky someone will get hurt,” Mr Cameron said.

“And a sobering and very tragic part of police work is having to knock on someone’s door and tell them they have just lost a family member. Every single death on our roads impacts more than just the driver.”

The ad will start screening tonight.

Operation RAID 2008 Statistics
Reportable Statistics Victoria
Random Breath Tests  393,385
Drink Driving Offences 1677
DUI (Drugs)   52
Licence Offences (Disq/Susp/unlicenced) 2031
Criminal Offences 4530