Police caught four drug drivers in the local area during Operation Regal, which ran over the Queen’s Birthday weekend from midnight last Thursday to midnight Monday.
One low-range drink driver was also caught from more than 300 breath tests conducted.
A total of 29 other general driving offences were also detected in Greater Shepparton, according to Police Eastern Region Division 3 Acting Senior Sergeant Paul Gordon.
According to police, the number of drivers caught doing the wrong thing on the region’s roads on the long weekend was down on average, but they said the amount of traffic was also reduced.
“Obviously COVID has had an effect on traffic,” Sen Sgt Gordon said.
“The statistics are a lot better than previous years.”
He said both the Melbourne COVID-19 lockdown and better driver education had attributed to the decrease in offences detected.
However, he was concerned about the number of drug drivers caught locally.
“It’s still concerning that people are taking these drugs and continue to drive while they are in their system,” he said.
Sen Sgt Gordon also warned motorists that while the concentrated police operation was over, police would still be out to catch drivers doing the wrong thing.
“We’re still focused on road safety and trauma,” he said.
“We don’t want people to become complacent and think we won’t be out there, because we will.”
Statewide, Operation Regal saw 170 drink drivers and 170 drug drivers caught by police.
Throughout Victoria, 1998 drivers were picked up for speeding, while 157 motorists driving on disqualified or suspended licences were also detected, as well as 161 who were unlicensed.
A total of 77 cars were impounded, while police detected 519 unregistered vehicles, 166 people using their mobile phone, 252 disobeying traffic signs or signals and 78 people not wearing a seatbelt.
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