Twenty per cent of motorists specifically tested for drugs at checkpoints as part of last weekend’s Easter road safety campaign were found to be under the influence, NT Police said, in an alarming result of a small sample size.

Police deployed 55 RBT stations across the Territory with 1877 breath tests conducted. Fifty-four people tested positive to alcohol, while 82 people were given “targeted drug tests” resulting in 16 testing positive for drugs, police said.

They did not disclose what type of drugs were allegedly found in the drivers tested.

The long weekend also resulted in 360 traffic apprehensions and 175 traffic infringements issued.

Ten arrests were made by the road policing unit.

Police said 17,764 vehicles were “subjected to speed checks” with 526 speeding tickets issued.

“The operation reinforces the ongoing need for a sustained focus on the Fatal Five and proactive road policing strategies to reduce road trauma on Territory roads,” Senior Sergeant Devrim Kanyilmaz said.

There were 30 motor vehicle accidents over the long weekend, including a fatality in the Katherine region on Saturday and seven incidents that resulted in serious injuries, police said.

“People are four times more likely to die on Territory roads than the national average,” Sr Sgt Kanyilmaz said.

“With Easter being a high-risk period, police provided a robust enforcement response to mitigate those risks by improving speed compliance and removing impaired drivers from our roads.”

He added that the recent campaign emphasised prevention, deterrence, and enforcement, utilising highly visible operations.