A mother on her way to school pick-up was nabbed in a recent police crackdown on drink-driving, with fears the dangerous habit is on the rise.
Victoria Police figures show about 1200 of almost 4900 drink-drivers, or one-in-five, were caught between 6am and 6pm in the last financial year.
More than 400 were caught between 6am and noon.
Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said the figures were worrying, as people traditionally believed drink-driving mainly occurred in the late afternoon or evening.
"It's really concerning because those times of day are when there are lots of people on the roads," he told reporters on Monday.
"Lots of pedestrians on the road and generally vulnerable road users like schoolchildren coming to and from school.
"We just can't accept that people would choose to drink and drive during the day."
Mr Weir said there wasn't any research into the reason, but an increase in working from home could be something to explore.
He said as recently as a fortnight ago, a mother pulled over for drink-driving had a child in the back seat.
She told officers that she was on the way to school pick-up.
"We're really frustrated that people continue to put themselves and others at risk by drinking and driving, particularly during the day," he said.
"It's a recipe for disaster."
Police plan to increase special daytime and early-morning operations targeting drink-drivers.
It comes amid a danger month on Victoria’s roads, as 29 people were killed in May 2023, with alcohol a contributor in many of the deaths.
Twelve people have died on the state's roads in May.
The Transport Accident Commission says one-in-five drivers killed on Victorian roads have a blood alcohol concentration of .05 or higher.
Those caught driving with a concentration of .05 or higher can lose their licence for a minimum of three months, pay for an alcohol interlock to be installed and maintained for at least six months, and risk jail time for the most serious offences.
