Officers started Operation Nexus on Thursday and had caught the three drivers by Saturday, and detected 60 other offences. 

Acting Sergeant Owen Clarke said police had conducted about 1200 breath tests, which meant one in 400 drivers had been over the limit.

“That’s still disappointing,” he said. 

“It’s obviously proving to us that we definitely need to be out there and in volume. 

“People can certainly expect a very large presence on their trip home from the Easter break.” 

The Victorian operation will run through to Anzac Day, and coincides with school holidays on both sides of the Border. 

Sergeant Clarke said most people were doing the right thing. 

“But there have still be the disappointing ones,” he said. 

“We want everyone to be able to get back to work and school and talk about the great Easter break they’ve had. 

“We’re focusing on the fact a lot of people try to maximise the amount of distance they can travel, so fatigue is certainly an issue along with speed and impatience behind the wheel.” 

Two drivers have died in the region during the Easter period. 

Brocklesby grain grower Ben Bailey, 38, was killed when his four-wheel-drive hit a tree on Kywong Howlong Road about 9.30pm on Thursday. 

Wangaratta man Garrett Boak, 19, died in a crash at Bowser less than 24 hours earlier. 

A man in his 20s was taken to hospital with serious injuries and being rescued from the wreckage. 

Police continue to investigate the matter. 

Operation Tortoise will continue in NSW until until Monday night, with double demerits being enforced. 

There have been three deaths during the NSW operation and 150 drink drivers charged.