Local has worst drink reading
A DRIVER on the Sunshine Coast recorded the highest breath-alcohol reading in the state on Friday night.
The driver was stopped during the first night of Operation Unite, a nationwide weekend crackdown targeting crimes associated with the excessive consumption of alcohol.
Police conducted 2825 random breath tests across the state during the first night of the operation, with 48 drivers charged with drink-driving.
The highest reading was recorded at Kawana where one driver blew .245 or five times the legal limit.
Deputy Commissioner specialist operations Ross Barnett said 483 officers were involved in first night of the operation.
"Police arrested 192 people for charges including assault, assaulting police, possessing dangerous drugs and burglary with violence," Deputy Commissioner Barnett said.
"There were also 332 liquor offences detected."
Officers filed 34 liquor incident reports and issued 76 infringement notices, with more than 222 "tip-outs" of open alcohol in public places.
Deputy Commissioner Barnett said Operation Unite also was targeting the culture of binge-drinking.
"The community is sick and tired of the small minority of people who drink to excess, or take party drugs, and then engage in anti-social behaviour," he said.
"It has been recognised that there is a cultural shift in the way people drink and the attitudes towards alcohol.
"As a result, more people are drinking to get drunk, and a select few are getting themselves into trouble."
The operation continued last night, with Sunshine Coast Police patrolling Mooloolaba, Maroochydore and Kawana.
