Police stats show half of Victorian drivers killed in 2016 were intoxicated

New figures from Victoria Police reveal more than half the drivers killed on Victorian roads in 2016 were either under the influence of alcohol or had illegal drugs in their system.

The numbers were released ahead of Victoria Police’s crackdown on drink and drug drivers over the Labour Day long weekend.

A total of 206 drivers were killed on the state’s roads in 2016, with 43 being affected by alcohol and 58 having illegal drugs in their systems.

During last year’s Labour Day long weekend Victoria Police drug-tested 1900 drivers, with 200 of those testing positive – a worrying 10.5 percent.

The police also revealed that of the 38 deaths in Victoria so far this year, 27 have been on rural roads. Populations may be higher in big cities, but it appears more risks are taken when driving outside of the big smoke.

Operation Arid, as the crackdown is being called, will target fatigue, speed, distraction and seat-belts, along with drug and drink drivers.

"We ask that their [deaths] not be in vain. Let that be a reminder of what happens if you drink or take drugs and drive," Assistant Commissioner of Road Policing Doug Fryer said.

Despite the figures seemingly pouring cold water on the ‘Speed Kills’ message, Fryer also reiterated the state’s focus on the dangers of speed, while speaking to television crews.

"The default speed [on country roads] of 100km/h is not the recommended speed, it's the maximum speed,” he told journalists.

“Whether it's rain, brightness, dusk, dawn, roos on the road, you need to drive to the conditions, not to what the posted speed is."