Limestone Coast police have praised motorists’ behaviour in the region during the Easter long weekend. Officer in Charge Superintendent Phil Hoff said eight drivers had returned positive blood alcohol results from more than 2000 drivers tested.
“We have been really pleased with the commitment that has been shown by the users of the roads in the Limestone Coast,” he said. “We have had an extraordinary presence on the roads and have interacted with numerous drivers, but most people have been doing the right thing. “This is really good to see.”
Supt Hoff said officers had conducted various drink driving operations and “have sadly detected about eight”. “They recorded positive blood alcohol levels, so the message is still out there to ensure they take care,” he said.
“The weekend was fatality free, we have had seven accidents recorded over the weekend, none of which we could classify as causing injuries which are life threatening. “It was wonderful to see people out and about enjoying one of the best parts of the country and most people doing it respectfully and safely.”
Supt Hoff did however offer a warning to hoon drivers who had left their mark on local roads. “I did note on Friday a lot of signs of burn outs on the Bay Road between Mount Schank and Allendale, which is obviously still of great concern to us,” he said. “These are the selfish idiots who are putting everyone else at risk.”
Drivers caught during the weekend blitz included a Henley Beach South man, 66, stopped at a driver testing site in Beachport and recording a blood alcohol reading of 0.124 and a Naracoorte man, 26, stopped in Robe and recording a reading of 0.035 and breaching his probationary licence.
A Kingston Park woman, 39, was stopped at Robe’s Long Beach and recorded 0.053, while a Mount Gambier woman, 23, blew 0.084 after being tested on Patricia Court. A 34-year-old Millicent man was stopped by police in Beachport and found to be riding an uninsured and unregistered motorcycle, while recording a reading of 0.068.
A Mil Lel man, 20, provided a reading of 0.109 on Wehl Street North, Mount Gambier, while a 43-year-old Mount Gambier man blew 0.181 after police responded to reports of an alleged drunk driver in a vehicle on Penola Road.
Meanwhile, a Naracoorte woman was hospitalised after a freak vehicular mishap on Long Beach at Robe around 3pm on Saturday. The 25-year-old had been seated on the sand at the rear of a parked vehicle when she was struck on the legs by a passing vehicle which was under tow.
She was treated at the scene by SA Ambulance Service paramedics and transported by ambulance to Mount Gambier Hospital. Personnel from the Robe CFS were also summoned to render assistance.
The drivers of the two vehicles were males aged 17 and 18 from Victoria. They were breath-tested at the scene by police. Officers are continuing to probe the circumstances of the accident.
