More drink drivers

By Jo Kennett

MORE DRINK drivers were caught and had their licence suspended on the spot in the second week of a month-long police operation aimed at keeping impaired drivers off the road.

Operation Fume is running through the month of February and Far North Coast Highway Patrol Traffic Management Inspector Dave Vandergriend said from Friday, February 10, to Sunday, February 12, a total of 13 people on the North Coast were charged with drink driving and had their licence suspended.

“Of concern is the high readings returned,”

Insp Vandergriend told The Weekly.

“Three were high range. One 42-year-old man was pulled up at 9am with a reading of 0.234.

“At 1.30am on Saturday night, another local, a 35-year-old female, returned a reading of 0.208, more than four times the legal limit.

“It emphasises the importance of the operations we hold to try to keep impaired drivers off the road and will continue to run throughout the month of February.”

Insp Vandergriend said police also run drink driving and drug testing operations during the week.

“There were several mid to low-range drink driving offences; your licence is immediately suspended for three months,” he said.

“With a low-range reading you get the suspension plus a fine, and mid- to high range is a licence suspension and a court attendance notice.

“These will continue that strong focus through February both during the week and weekends.”