Bloody idiots – Mt Barker police have caught more drink-drivers in past five months than in previous year

Mt Barker police have already charged more drink-drivers in the past five months than in the entire previous year, according to officer-in-charge Sgt David Johnson. Sgt Johnson said officers had charged 24 drink-drivers in the first five months of the 2020-21 financial year — already above their annual average. Late last month, two people were caught drink-driving on the same day, one on P-plates and the other a recently disqualified driver. Sgt Johnson, pictured, said the statistics were alarming. “We normally do 20-21 drink drivers a year and we’ve hit 24 in the first five months of this financial year,” he said. “We’ve had three driving under the influences (excess 0.15) and 10 excess 0.08s. “Eleven of those charged reside in the shire of Plantagenet and 16 of the 24 are from the wider Great Southern. There is no identified reason as to why there is an increase. “Over the COVID period there was a reduction in random breath tests Statewide, so that is a concern given the numbers we have tested.” In October, a driver who was on their way to Perth returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.198. Another driver on their way to Perth blew 0.143 in September, and a driver on their way to Katanning blew 0.119 in August. “The higher-range offences have all been wanting to travel large distances, which is concerning,” Sgt Johnson said. “There is danger driving on roads in the Great Southern, especially off the highway on back roads, and drinking increases the chances of crashing significantly. “We will be targeting areas around the town and encourage people that visit hotels or sporting clubs to plan their night. “Walk home, use a skipper or take a cab. “There is simply no reason to drink and drive.”