1774 winners and 5 losers on Cup Day

On the day the nation stopped to watch the Melbourne Cup, ACT Policing Officers kept working. 

Traffic Operations members conducted alcohol and drug testing on drivers at Thoroughbred Park and surrounding areas and found plenty of winners, with 1774 tested drivers doing the right thing.

But for five drivers it wasn’t such a good result, when their gamble of driving under the influence failed to pay off, and they were identified as being impaired by alcohol or drugs.

One driver, a 38-year-old Lyneham woman, whose probationary licence required a zero-alcohol limit returned a positive result. When further breath analysis was conducted the test gave a reading of 0.272. 

ACT Policing OIC Traffic Operations Sergeant David Wills said he was pleased with the behavior of most road users.

“While the majority of drivers were responsible, and should be thanked for doing the right thing, a probationary driver returning a result of 0.272 almost defies belief.” Sergeant Wills said.

“If your limit is zero, you cannot consume any alcohol before getting behind the wheel and putting your own life, and in this case the lives of four passengers, at risk.

“The driver’s licence was seized and immediately suspended and she will be required to attend the ACT Magistrates Court to answer a serious drink driving offence.”

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 6264 9460, act-police-media@afp.gov.au