The latest Victoria Police data shows 30 drink-drivers were caught in Ballarat in the past three weeks, as part of Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) but police have also targeted speeding and reckless drivers who drive while suspended or unlicensed.

The figures come on a day when there were multiple appearances for similar offences in Ballarat Magistrates Court, including a 19-year-old man who pleaded guilty to drink-driving and two counts of unlicensed driving, in separate incidents on the same day.

Among those caught drink-driving as part of Operation Raid was one male driver who allegedly had a blood alcohol reading of 0.267.

Police caught the man, who had a female passenger, on Remembrance Drive near Burrumbeet. He is due to face court next week.

Ballarat Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Pat Cleary said motorists had generally been well behaved, although there were some glaring examples of poor behaviour.

Also caught in Ballarat during the operation were 262 speeding drivers (an average of more than 12 a day), 63 unregistered vehicles and 20 seat belt infringements.

“It’s a major concern when people drive around in these conditions. It’s a serious collision waiting to happen,” Senior Sergeant Cleary said. “It’s disturbing to see figures like these. It’s disappointing that after all the messages we send out, people can still be selfish enough to drive around intoxicated.”

Police have sworn to saturate Ballarat’s busy streets in the lead-up to Christmas, with the launch of the latest road operation.

Operation Break Up, the second phase of the Summer Stay road enforcement campaign, will see police target the city’s busiest areas.

Although police will  concentrate on impaired drivers, especially in regional Victoria, there also will be a focus on distracted drivers.

patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au