Police have warned drivers to think before getting behind the wheel, after an increase in drink-driving in the Hume region.
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Police have noticed an increase in dangerous driver behaviour following Operation Chrome - which ran between April 30 and May 3 - where 30 motorists were charged with alleged drink-driving offences.
Following the operation, officers attached to the Hume Traffic and Highway Patrol Command have maintained a high-visible presence on local roads and detected more than a dozen motorists driving under the influence of alcohol since May 3.
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Drivers were stopped in locations including the Old Hume Highway, Mittagong, Argyle Street, Moss Vale, Hume Street, Goulburn, and along the Barton Highway, Murrumbateman.
Around half were low-range drink-driving offences, but more concerningly, two drivers were charged with high-range PCA.
One man was stopped on Hay Street, Crookwell on May 14, and when subjected to a breath analysis, returned an alleged reading of 0.161.
The next day another motorist was stopped on Allanan Street, Young, and allegedly returned a reading of 0.171 - almost three-and-a-half times the legal alcohol limit.
The Hume Police District commander Superintendent Paul Condon said the number of motorists under the influence was not only disappointing, it put other road users in danger.
"It's alarming that so many motorists have been detected with alcohol in their system in such a short period of time. It was only due to police actions that a tragedy has been avoided," he said.
"These detections are a clear indication that it's just a matter of time before those doing the wrong thing get caught and are dealt with under the law."
Acting Inspector Gregory Macnamara said drivers needed a plan B if they consumed alcohol.
"Make alternative arrangements after a night out, and never let a mate drink and drive," he said.
"Losing your licence can have major implications on your employment but being under the influence behind the wheel can very easily result in a loss of life."
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