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Australian police: Over 500 drink drivers caught over Easter

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-13 14:10

CANBERRA -- Australian police said on Monday more than 500 Victorian drink drivers were caught over the Easter break as police lobby for a double demerit points system.

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"It's frightening that there are drivers amongst us that are willing to put not only their lives at risk but drivers all around them," Victoria Police Superintendent Kevin Casey said, adding that the figures were shameful.

Supt Casey said that while road fatalities had been low, a high number of people had been seriously injured in crashes.

"That also has a ripple effect across the community because some of those people will be treated for some time to come," he said.

So far, Victoria has recorded one death over the Easter period, with a woman dying when a car smashed into a tree on the Great Ocean Road on Friday.

More than 500 people were also caught using mobile phones, 500 drivers were disqualified or suspended and 500 were not wearing seatbelts during the blitz, Casey said.

Victoria is a state located in the southeastern corner of Australia.