Seven people lost their lives on our roads during the state-wide Easter long weekend traffic operation.
Operation Easter 2023 commenced at 12.01am on Thursday 6 April 2023 and concluded at 11.59pm yesterday (Monday 10 April 2023), with double demerit point in place throughout.
The operation targeted the major factors contributing to road trauma – excessive speed, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fatigue, non-wearing of seatbelts and helmets, and mobile phone use.
Seven people died during the course of the operation, including a pedestrian at South Tamworth overnight.
Just before 11.30pm (Monday 10 April 2023), emergency services were called to Woodward Avenue, following reports a pedestrian had been struck by a car.
The 31-year-old man was taken to Tamworth Hospital in a critical condition, where he later passed away.
The driver, a 46-year-old woman, was not injured and was taken to Tamworth Hospital for mandatory testing.
A crime scene was established, and inquiries are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the crash. A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
During the operation, police issued a total of 14,564 traffic infringement notices for speeding, a further 326 people were charged for drink driving offences, and 311 people were issued infringements for mobile phone usage.
Commander of Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman, said the message doesn't appear to be resonating with our road users.
"It seems as though people just continue to drive recklessly on our roads under the false impression that they are safe from any road trauma," Acting Assistant Commissioner Chapman said.
"Even though the operation has come to an end, our message has not changed. To keep yourselves and the rest of the community safe, drivers must continue to abide by the road rules and take breaks when tired.
"Anytime someone gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle or hops on a motorcycle, they need to accept responsibility to do everything they can to keep themselves, their passengers and other road users safe.
"Police can only do so much, which means we really need those road users to take that message and that responsibility seriously."
Incidents of note during the operation include:
- Just after 10pm on Thursday (6 April 2023), officers from Dubbo Traffic and Highway Patrol detected a Kia Stinger travelling at 120km/hr in a 60km/hr zone along Boundary Road, Dubbo. Police stopped the vehicle and issued the driver with an infringement notice for exceed speed over 45km/h, and his licence was suspended.
- About 11.30pm on Thursday, a 42-year-old male driver allegedly crashed into the front yard of a home on Kirribilli Road, Coomba Park. Officers attached to Manning Great Lakes Highway Patrol breath tested the man, who allegedly produced a positive result. He was arrested and taken to Forster Police Station where he allegedly returned a breath analysis of 0.255. He was issued a court attendance notice for high range PCA and is due to appear at Forster Local Court on Thursday 25 May 2023.
- Just before 6.30am on Friday (7 April 2023), Cooma Highway Patrol stopped a black Honda sedan on the Monaro Highway at Chakola, after it was detected travelling 173km/hr in a 100km/hr zone. The driver, a 31-year-old man, provided police with an international driver's license, which was suspended indefinitely. He was issued with a field court attendance notice for exceed speed limit greater than 45km/h and driving in a manner dangerous to appear in Cooma Local Court on Wednesday 17 May 2023.
- Officers from Sutherland Traffic and Highway Patrol stopped a Toyota Hilux on the Princes Highway at Engadine, about 8am on Friday, after it appeared to have defects. The Engadine man and holder of a P1 license was issued traffic infringement notices for driving a defective vehicle and not displaying P-plates. The 20-year-old was arrested for allegedly returning a positive result to a roadside breath test. The man was taken to Sutherland Police Station where he allegedly returned a breath analysis of 0.072. He was issued a field court attendance notice for low range PCA and is due to appear before Sutherland Local Court on Thursday 25 May 2023. Inquiries continue.
- About 12pm on Friday, police were notified of a Holden Commodore allegedly speeding westbound on the M4 Motorway at Merrylands. The driver collided with a Renault, causing the Renault to hit the barrier, before rolling three times and coming to a stop. No one was injured. The 23-year-old man and holder of a P1 license allegedly returned a positive breath test result. He was arrested and taken to Merrylands Police Station, where he allegedly returned a breath analysis of 0.144. He was issued with a court attendance notice for mid-range PCA, drive manner dangerous and negligent driving, and is due to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday 16 May 2023.
- Just before 5am on Saturday (8 April 2023), Ryde Highway Patrol stopped a black Holden Commodore on Yarrara Avenue at Pennant Hills, after it was allegedly detected travelling 45km/h over the speed limit. He as issued an infringement notice for exceed speed over 45km/h. Checks also revealed the 32-year-old man was driving with a suspended license. Inquiries are continuing.
Key statistics (state-wide totals);
• Speed infringements: 5,005
• Breath tests: 187,606
• PCA: 326
• Major crashes: 335
• Fatalities: 7
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Further region breakdown:
CENTRAL METRO:
• Speed infringements: 350
• Breath tests: 35,587
• PCA: 44
• Major crashes: 51
• Fatalities: 0
SOUTH WEST METRO:
• Speed infringements: 621
• Breath tests: 31,015
• PCA: 50
• Major crashes: 66
• Fatalities: 0
NORTH WEST METRO:
• Speed infringements: 661
• Breath tests: 30,048
• PCA: 48
• Major crashes: 74
• Fatalities: 1
NORTHERN:
• Speed infringements: 1400
• Breath tests: 38,144
• PCA: 105
• Major crashes: 76
• Fatalities: 1
SOUTHERN:
• Speed infringements: 1,187
• Breath tests: 29,797
• PCA: 43
• Major crashes: 41
• Fatalities: 4
WESTERN:
• Speed infringements: 786
• Breath tests: 18,707
• PCA: 36
• Major crashes: 27
• Fatalities: 1
Anyone with information about road-related incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
