Police have warned motorists to expect to be tested, with Campaspe Highway Patrol joining a four-day statewide road blitz under Operation Scoreboard.
The highly visible crackdown follows a disturbing week on Echuca roads, with police arresting two men over separate dangerous driving incidents.
One involved a suspended drink driver allegedly caught behind the wheel over the limit for the second time in eight weeks, while another man was charged with hooning offences after allegedly performing burn-outs at Victoria Park boat ramp with passengers in the tray of his vehicle.
Campaspe Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Joseph McKeown said police would be out and about across the district, with the long weekend coinciding with school holidays and increased traffic heading to regional destinations.
“There is no excuse for drink and drug driving over the AFL Grand Final long weekend,” he said.
“Enjoy the long weekend and the festivities, but please plan ahead. Leave the car at home, arrange a designated driver or use alternative transport options.”
The crackdown comes as statewide figures reveal 983 motorists have been caught drink or drug driving over the AFL Grand Final long weekend since 2022.
Of those, 571 were detected over the alcohol limit and 412 returned a positive roadside drug test. Last year alone, 156 motorists were caught drink driving and another 100 were detected drug driving.
The Saturday has been the main danger period, with drink drivers most commonly caught between 4pm and 2am and drug drivers between noon and 10pm.
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