ONE in three drivers on Wangaratta roads have tested positive to drugs during a traffic blitz.
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Police have been surprised by the results, which were detected during the Australia Day long weekend.
Motorists aged in their late teens through to people in their fifties tested positive to a mix of cannabis and amphetamine.
Sergeant Michael Connors said by contrast police had only detected one drink driver from about 560 tests.
“It’s very surprising,” he said of the drug strike rate.
“The thing with illicit drugs is the person who has taken them doesn’t know what’s in it or how long it will be in their system.
“Yet they still chose to drive a motor vehicle.
“Every highway patrol vehicle is a booze bus and drug bus and we will test as many drivers as possible.
“If you’re going to have illicit drugs in your system, you’re not a safe road user and our aim is to get you off the road.”
Two of those caught were repeat offenders.
Sergeant Connors said police made no excuses for targeting those with a history of driving offences.
Wangaratta officers also issued 69 infringement notices, including five drivers travelling at high speed and 12 people in unregistered cars.
Meanwhile a 21-year-old man was arrested after he crashed a stolen car on Coach Road in Culcairn on Tuesday.
The incident occurred about 2am and the man refused to undergo a breath test after being approached by police officers.
He was taken to Albury police station and charged with car theft, disqualified driving and negligent driving.
He was also charged with resisting arrest and refusing to undergo a roadside alcohol breath test.