Although Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) has officially come to an end, Territorians are being warned not to breathe a sigh of relief, as police will continue to be out in force this festive season.
The Nationwide Operation was launched on 20 November and ran through to 12 December and focused highly on not only breath tests, but also those choosing to speed, drive without seatbelts, drive unlicensed and a number of other traffic related offences.
Throughout the campaign, in the Territory alone 12 582 breath tests were conducted and of those 336 were found to be driving under the influence of alcohol.
Members also found five drivers under the influence of drugs and 660 were caught for speeding.
Those not wearing seatbelts were also targeted, locating 299 offenders as well as 378 for driving unlicensed, 778 for traffic related offences and 73 for crime related offences.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Rob Kendrick said that whilst the operation could be regarded as success by some there were over 1 000 people detected over the limit with alcohol, under the influence of alcohol, under the influence of drugs or speeding.
"This does not include the many hundreds of people who were no doubt detected speeding or running red lights with the fixed and mobile cameras.
"Police have worked long hours throughout the entirety of the campaign and as a result have removed hundreds of potentially deadly motorists from our roads.
"These stats show that one in every 37 drivers tested were under the influence of alcohol. This is not information that any of us take lightly and I personally find it particularly disturbing."
"Although the official campaign has now ended, we will continue to target these law breakers."
"A Driver's Licence is not a right it is a privilege. Police will do their utmost over the Christmas Period and into the coming year to seize the licences of people that abuse this privilege. It is too late while getting cut out of a crashed vehicle that you should have considered a Sober Bob behind the wheel.
"Sober Bob is not the least drunk person in the group, it is a sober driver and Territorians need to realise this.
"Expect more lockdowns as offenders will be caught. Think now how valuable your licence is for your work or dropping your kids off at school. Act responsibly" he said.
Coming up to Christmas, road users need to remain vigilant on the roads and report any suspicious driving activity to 131 444 in an attempt to keep the Christmas road toll to zero.
Media contact:
Amy Sloan
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