POLICE have been left dismayed by the actions of motorists in Wagga over the weekend after 17 drivers tested positive to drugs.
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Officers from the Riverina Highway Patrol, Random Drug Testing Team and Wagga Local Area Command conducted over 150 drug tests.
Of those tests, 17 drivers tested positive to amphetamine or cannabis, or both.
Drugs were also seized during the operation, with drivers banned from the roads for 24 hours pending analysis of the results.
Senior Sergeant Wayne McLachlan said police would continue to target drivers in Operation Stay Alert, which finishes at midnight.
“These motorists show a complete disregard for the safety themselves and all other road users,” he said.
“Drivers who believe that they can use prohibited drugs and drive safely are wrong and police are doing all we can to get them off our roads.
“Police will be continuing to target those who take drugs and or alcohol and drive, with further targeted operations throughout the Riverina Region planned in an effort to get the message through.
“Our goal is for everybody to get home safely,”
In one incident, a 23-year-old man led police on a pursuit on Red Hill Road on Saturday before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing.
Officers allegedly located drug paraphernalia, electrical equipment and a crystal substance believed to be drugs.
The man was charged and will face Wagga Court at a later date.