A Melbourne woman had an "incredibly lucky" escape when her car became stuck on train tracks, forcing an approaching train driver to slam on the brakes, bringing the train to a stop just metres from her car.
The 60-year-old driver, from Essendon, was taken to a nearby police station where she returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.105.
Sergeant Tim Fletcher said she was lucky to walk away from the incident.
"Dangerous and drink driving affects the wider community and it is incredibly lucky that no one was injured," he said.
It is understood the driver lost control of her car in the Essendon Railway Station car park and ended up on the tracks, forcing the approaching train to make an abrupt stop, narrowly avoiding the vehicle.
The woman had her licence suspended and her car towed and is expected to be charged with drink driving and careless driving offences.
Trains on the Craigieburn line were suspended for some time while the car was removed from the tracks.
The close call happened around midnight.
It came just minutes into the start of four-day road blitz, as police crack down on drunk, drug-affected and speeding drivers ahead of the Australia Day long weekend.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy urged drivers to think about their actions, particularly with many motorists travelling to regional areas for festivals and Lunar New Year celebrations.
"There may be the perception among some people that you can drink or take illicit drugs before jumping into the driver's seat, but it's this over-confidence and ignorance that can change lives forever," she said.
"Last year we saw too many people killed on our roads, and too many families who are still grappling with the grief of losing a loved one, so we just can't afford to see this year get off to the same start."
