Acting Senior Sergeant Dean Greenwood said Victoria Police’s Operation Regal saw two drivers caught drink-driving, including one in Port Fairy on Monday. 

“Police intercepted the erratic driver, who was taken back to a police station and returned a breath test of 0.066,” he said. 

“Although it’s not a high reading, it’s still over the accepted .05.”

Under the operation police nabbed 40 drivers for speeding in the Warrnambool police service areas, five for seat belt offences, two for driving unregistered vehicles and one for driving on drugs.

Senior Sergeant Greenwood said the numbers weren’t surprising. 

“When people drink-drive, exceed the speed limit and talk on the phone, I’m not surprised, but I wish I was,” he said. 

“We still have motorists that are prepared to take risks and we know that these offences are all factors that contribute to serious injuries and fatal collisions. Whether the numbers are high or low, I still can’t understand why people aren’t heeding the message.” 

Five people died across the four-day operation, with three deaths occurring within two hours on Monday.

A 52-year-old man was killed in Stawell after his car rolled and struck a tree just before 7.30pm on Sunday.

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said there were now five families trying to come to grips with the reality of road trauma.

“Our police have had to knock on five doors this weekend and deliver an unimaginable message,” he said.

“I feel for the families, friends and extended community impacted and also our police officers; attending collisions at all times of the day and night.”

Across the state, police detected 3124 speeding drivers, 227 drink drivers and 148 drug test offences.