Sober Hume drivers impress police

By Samantha Walker

Hume was the only municipality in the state where no one was caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol during a police blitz on drivers over the Christmas holiday period.

The crackdown ran from December 13 to January 3, with police confirming Hume had experienced among the highest policing levels in the state.

Broadmeadows police acting inspector Geraldine Porter said the Hume result was “good news”.

“We got great results and that’s something we’re working hard on in relation to road trauma,” she said.

Across Victoria, 914 people were caught driving above the legal blood- alcohol limit, while 606 were caught with drugs in their system during the Christmas period.

Four people blew over the legal blood- alcohol limit in Whittlesea, but no drivers were caught with drugs in their system in the municipality.

Statewide, the most common offence in the holiday period was speeding, with more than 7500 motorists exceeding speed limits.

In Hume, 29 people were caught speeding during the police blitz and three were apprehended in Whittlesea.

Victoria Police assistant commissioner Doug Fryer said the number of people caught speeding in Victoria in the holidays was a concern.

“It’s always disappointing to see people caring more about getting somewhere quickly than getting there at all,” he said.

He said 12 people died on Victorian roads during the course of the blitz.