Major road policing blitz Operation Scoreboard, which kicks off on Friday, will see police highly visible and enforcing on Victorian roads in an effort to reduce road trauma.
There will be a significant focus on impaired drivers, with increased roadside alcohol and drug testing to be conducted throughout the state.
Police roadside testing data has revealed 571 drivers were detected drink-driving, and a further 412 drivers were detected with drugs in their system over the AFL grand final long weekend since 2022.
There were 156 caught drink driving, and 100 detected drug driving in 2025 alone.
The majority of detections occurred on the Saturday, with 4pm through to 2am the most common time for drink drivers to be nabbed, while drug drivers were most commonly caught between noon and 10pm.
Half of drivers detected had a blood alcohol reading between 0.050 and 0.099, with 39 per cent blowing two or more times over the legal limit (0.1 up to 0.299), while methamphetamines was detected in more than 53 per cent of drug drivers caught.
Male drivers made up three quarters of all drink and drug driving detections on the grand final weekend, with drivers aged 25 to 34 most commonly caught over the alcohol limit, while those aged 35 to 44 were detected for the most drug driving offences.
There have also been 74 collisions over the AFL grand final weekend where the driver was impaired by alcohol, drugs or both — most commonly on the Saturday between 8pm and 4am.
Police said miscalculation of alcohol consumption continued to the most common reason cited by drivers who were caught by police over the limit, suggesting that many people were prepared to risk having a few drinks before getting behind the wheel.
Police are reminding motorists that they should expect to be tested anywhere, any time this weekend, with significant penalties in place for those caught driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Operation Scoreboard will run from 12.01am on Friday, September 25, to 11.59pm on Monday, September 28.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Mick Hermans said there was “absolutely no excuse for drink and drug driving over the AFL grand final long weekend”.
“It is completely unacceptable, and an avoidable risk,” he said.
“Enjoy the long weekend and the festivities, but please plan ahead — leave the car at home, arrange a designated driver or utilise alternative transport options.
“We will have a significant presence on Victorian roads this weekend and be testing drivers at every opportunity, so expect to be tested — anywhere, any time.”
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