A driver who tested positive for both methamphetamines and cannabis in a drug test and another who was double the legal blood alcohol limit were among those caught during a four-night police operation in Greater Shepparton.

Two drivers were also caught driving at more than 25km/h over the speed limit.

Operation Nightlight ‒ staged from Thursday, June 26 to Sunday, June 29 ‒ saw general duties police from Shepparton and Mooroopna unite with Shepparton Highway Patrol to target impaired and unauthorised drivers.

The presence extended from the early evening right through until the early morning, with police out across Shepparton, Mooroopna, Tatura and Katandra.

A total of 19 drivers were tested for drugs, with two returning positive roadside results.

A 48-year-old Mooroopna man was detected with both methamphetamines and cannabis in his system.

He was fined $593 and his driver’s licence was suspended for six months.

A 40-year-old Cobram man, who was unlicensed, will face court after testing positive for methamphetamines.

His vehicle, which allegedly had false number plates, was impounded for 30 days.

Police conducted 164 preliminary breath tests, with three drink drivers nabbed.

They included a 34-year-old Rushworth man, who returned an alleged blood alcohol content of 0.101.

His licence was immediately suspended and his vehicle impounded.

A 29-year-old Merrigum man returned an alleged blood alcohol reading of 0.089 and had his licence immediately suspended.

In another vehicle impoundment, a 44-year-old Mooroopna man was caught driving disqualified for the second time in a month.

The man will now face court.

The highly visible police effort came after 10 people died on Goulburn Valley roads so far this year.

It compares with 16 deaths at the same time last year.

There were 155 vehicles and 137 drivers checked as part of the operation.

Five people were caught speeding, two of them at more than 25km/h over the speed limit.

Both had their licences suspended for three months.

Victoria Police this week released figures showing more than 700 drug-affected drivers are being caught every month.

Local police say they will continue targeted patrols in their efforts to keep road users across the Goulburn Valley safe.

Mooroopna Police First Constable Thomas Hoskin said operations like these sent a clear message to anyone who chose to drive when they’re impaired.

"We will find you and you will face the consequences,” he said.

"There is simply no excuse for anyone getting behind the wheel when they’re over the blood alcohol limit or on drugs.

“The ramifications can be nothing short of catastrophic.

"Every life lost on our roads is preventable and local police will continue doing all we can to reduce road trauma.

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Sunday, 8th October 2023

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