Police have condemned the “disgraceful” actions of drivers who attended concerts in the Macedon Ranges earlier this month.
Local police co-ordinated a joint operation to catch drivers leaving the Midnight Oil concert at Hanging Rock and the Jimmy Barnes show at Sutton Grange Winery both on the night of Saturday, November 4.
Senior Sergeant Ian Brooks said 13 drink drivers were detected among the 2600 drivers tested, all of which had been at one of the concerts. Eleven of the drink drivers were transporting passengers. One driver’s blood alcohol level was recorded at 0.132 per cent – almost three times the legal limit.
Senior Sergeant Brooks described the result as “very disappointing”.
“From a police point-of-view, the behaviour of drivers was disgraceful,” he said. “There’s no reason behind it – it shows a complete disregard for the road rules.”
“People were prepared to take the risk hurting or killing themselves or others.”
Senior Sergeant Brooks said on top of being aware of the safety risk, he thought drivers would expect the usual police presence.
“Did you not expect to see us there?” was his message for drink drivers. “We will catch you.”
Three booze buses and eight highway patrol vehicles were monitoring the area.
He advised concert-goers to always include getting home in their plans for events.
More driving offences were recorded in Macedon Ranges in a specialised operation for the Melbourne Cup long-weekend.
From November 3-7, five drink drivers were apprehended, as well as 34 speeders, nine drivers disobeying traffic signals, one driver using a mobile phone and five drivers in unregistered vehicles.
