Wodonga highway patrol Acting Sergeant Owen Clarke said the Melbourne-based bus processed six people for drug and drink driving.

“The last time it was up, we put nine people through and they all tested positive for drugs and alcohol – that was quite disappointing,” he said.

“(This time) we were picking up a lot of low readings on the booze bus testing lines, from drivers all within the legal limits for their respective licences.

“People are being responsible, which is pleasing.”

Acting Sergeant Clarke said a man in his 50s lost 10 demerit points for returning a blood alcohol reading of .052 on Wednesday. Others were caught drinking while driving their cars.

“Three people all detected positive on the testing station line and all were negative in the bus, because they had one drink while they were driving,” he said.

“All of them had knocked off from work and were having a drink on the way home.

“We actively discourage people form drinking while they drive – the two activities should never be mixed.

“Getting caught is a bad result for drinking and driving, but certainly not the worst one; at the end of the line, lives are at stake.”

Acting Sergeant Clarke said a 21-year-old man who failed to stop at a Bonegilla testing site was intercepted and tested positive to ice.

“After a short pursuit, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic mechanic failure and ground to a halt,” he said.

“The diver was taken into custody and tested a positive result for drug driving.

“He was arrested on eight outstanding warrants, charged with 17 traffic offences and will appear in Wodonga Magistrates Court on January 17.”

A further three drug drivers were caught on Christmas Day, separate to the bus.

The vehicle’s visit was part of Operation Roadwise, ending on January 8.

In NSW, Operation Safe Arrival continues until Monday.

Nine days into the operation, Deniliquin Police had arrested six people for drink driving offences.

Among those was a 28-year-old international tourist who returned a blood alcohol reading of .10 and was suspended from driving on roads in NSW.

Meanwhile, two dangerous drivers were taken off the road in Myrtleford by the Wangaratta Highway Patrol.

A 44-year-old Myrtleford man was caught four times the legal limit on Friday after being intercepted for failing to stop at a stop sign.

His licence was suspended after returning a reading of .208.

Police also intercepted a 45-year-old Hawthorn man on Christmas Eve after numerous calls to triple zero reporting the car crossing double lines into oncoming traffic.

His breath test returned a reading of .187 and his licence was immediately suspended.

Both men will face the Myrtleford Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

Sergeant Michael Connors said he was extremely disappointed with these two incidents.

“On both of these occasions the drivers put themselves and other road users at risk,” he said.

“This is a time of year for celebration and our message is simple: please enjoy yourself, but if you plan on drinking, don’t drive.

“We simply won’t tolerate dangerous and irresponsible driving on our roads.”