Almost one in five drivers returned positive results during a proactive drink and drug driving operation in Lake Macquarie on Monday.
The results came after Lake Macquarie police undertook Operation Amrap from 7am to 5pm, targeting drink and drug driving offences, along with compliance with the current Public Health Orders.
There were 10 people arrested from 80 vehicles stopped and 74 drivers underwent a random breath analysis.
A 43-year-old man was charged with mid-range drink driving at Wangi Oval in Arcadia Vale. Police will allege he returned a positive result roadside, before he was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station where he recorded an alleged blood alcohol analysis reading of 0.089.
Seven drivers returned a positive result to a random drug test out of 37 drivers who were tested.
All seven drivers were arrested and subjected to a secondary analysis which will be sent for further testing.
Two drivers were charged with driving whilst disqualified and one person was issued with a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction in relation to section 7/8/9 - COVID-19.
Lake Macquarie Police District Chief Inspector Craig Reid said it was concerning to see the number of drivers getting behind the wheel under the influence.
"Seven drivers out of 37 recorded a positive roadside result - that is a worrying number of motorists who proceed to put not only their own lives at risk, but the lives and safety of those on the road around them," he said.
"Those secondary results will be forensically tested and if they return a positive result, then those drivers will be charged and put before the courts.
"Lake Macquarie Police will be continuing to target drivers who think they can get away with drink or drug driving - you will see us in numbers on the main arterial roads, the back routes."
Lake Macquarie police will continue to undertake regular road operations alongside their COVID-compliance operations.
