Operation Stop Drink/Drug Driving – Melbourne Cup
Police have a message for all drivers ahead of tomorrow’s Melbourne Cup: don’t let the race that stops the nation be the day where police stop you for drink or drug driving.
“We ask all drivers to leave the gambling on the track – don’t gamble with the lives of other people on our roads,” says Superintendent Anthony Fioravanti, officer in charge of SA Police’s Traffic Support Branch.
Police will be conducting Operation Stop Drink/Drug Driving, to help ensure drivers are taking their road safety responsibilities seriously.
Superintendent Fioravanti says on Melbourne Cup day last year police tested 2257 drivers and of those, 15 were above the legal alcohol limit and 32 were detected drug driving.
“That result is very disappointing. A total of 47 drivers ignored all the warnings and didn’t take responsibility for their own actions, their own safety or the safety of others.”
“When a driver makes a decision to drink or drug drive, a potential tragic outcome is that they kill or injure someone.
“Unfortunately, while all drivers know the dangers of drink and drug driving and even with a high profile police presence on our roads, there are still those who think the law and the obligation to drive safely does not apply to them.”
Race-goers are reminded that tram travel is free to and from the Morphettville Race course for the Melbourne Cup; so take the opportunity to ride for free and leave the car at home.
Melbourne Cup day statistical snapshot of crashes for the last three years:
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