The south-west’s road safety adviser Senior Sergeant Tania Barbary said across the Western Region Division Two,  3140 breath tests were conducted as part of the statewide operation Arid. 

She said police detected eight drink-drivers and 162 other offences, including using mobile phones behind the wheel, speeding, seatbelt offences and failing to stop. 

“For the number of tests conducted and the influx of people we had in the area for various events, the results are good but it’s still eight drink-drivers too many,” she said. 

The Western Region covers the Corangamite, Moyne, Warrnambool, Glenelg and Southern Grampians shires. 

Senior Sergeant Barbary said that in the Warrnambool police service area, taking in the Moyne and Corangamite shires and Warrnambool City, 1729 personal breath tests were conducted, catching four drink-drivers and 96 other offences detected. 

In the Southern Grampians police service area, covering the Southern Grampians and Glenelg shires, 1411 personal breath tests found four drink-drivers and 66 other offences. 

She said the most pleasing statistic from the four-day operation was no serious injuries or fatalities. 

“That’s a fabulous result. The roads were extremely busy, so drivers need to be congratulated for showing patience and driving to the conditions.”