Operation Scoreboard kicks off on Thursday, September 25, and will see police highly visible on roads across the state in an effort to reduce road trauma.
“The message is clear — alcohol, drugs and driving don’t mix, so if you’re celebrating over the AFL Grand Final weekend, plan ahead and leave the car at home, arrange a designated driver or utilise alternative transport options,” Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said.
“We will increase our roadside alcohol and drug testing this weekend, and anyone heading out on the roads should expect to be tested by police anywhere, any time.”
New police data reveals that 415 drivers were detected over the limit for alcohol, and a further 312 drivers were detected with drugs in their system over the past three AFL Grand Final long weekends (2022-24).
The most common time for drink driving detections was on grand final Saturday from 8pm to 4am Sunday, while drug driving detections were highest on the Friday public holiday.
More than half of drivers (51 per cent) had a blood alcohol reading between 0.05 and 0.099, with 38 per cent blowing two or more times over the legal limit (0.100 up to 0.299).
The most prolific offenders were aged between 25 and 34, accounting for 30 per cent of impaired drivers, while those in the 35- to 44-year age bracket made up 21 per cent.
There have also been 60 collisions over the AFL Grand Final weekend where the driver was impaired by alcohol, drugs or both, with more than half occurring on the Saturday.
Miscalculating alcohol consumption continues to be one of the most common reasons cited by over-the-limit drivers, suggesting that many are prepared to risk having a few drinks and still driving.
Victorians are being urged to find alternative transport or arrange a designated driver.
Police will also be highly visible on major arterials heading to regional areas and holiday hotspots, with this long weekend coinciding with the school holidays and an RDO for the industrial sector.
Police ask travellers to stick to speed limits, take plenty of breaks and avoid distractions when travelling on regional roads.
There have been 217 lives lost on Victorian roads this year, nine more than at the same time last year, with more than half on regional roads.
Operation Scoreboard runs from 12:01am on Thursday, September 25, to 11:59pm on Sunday, September 28.
“Let’s ensure this long weekend remains memorable for all the right reasons – not for the wrong ones,” Mr Weir said.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads this long weekend, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.
