NSW Police are urging drivers to take care and think of other road users after three people died following road crashes on the first day of Operation Christmas/New Year 2022.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers, together with local police across NSW, are enforcing all road-related legislation, including drink and drug driving, distractions, driving tired, and any dangerous driving behaviours which put the safety of road users at risk as part of Operation Christmas/New Year 2022.
The high-visibility operation commenced at 12.01am yesterday (Friday 23 December 2022) and concludes at 11.59pm on Monday 2 January 2023.
Double demerit points will apply for the duration of the operation for speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt, and motorcycle helmet offences.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden, said it was tragic to see three lives had been lost on the first day of the operation.
"NSW Police have responded to three fatal crashes on our roads since our operation started – that's three too many," Assistant Commissioner McFadden said.
"We urge people to think about others as you get behind the wheel. Irresponsible behaviour – including speeding, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and using your mobile phone while driving – can drastically alter your own or another road user's life.
"We all want to enjoy this festive season and by being a responsible road user, you are helping others to reach their destination safely and reduce road trauma."
During Day 1 of Operation Christmas/New Year 2022, more than 25,000 random breath tests were conducted across the state, resulting in 45 charges for drink-driving. Police issued 730 traffic infringement notices for speeding offences, 80 for mobile phone offences and 39 traffic infringement notices for seatbelt and restraint offences.
Other incidents of note yesterday (Friday 23 December 2022) include:
- Police were patrolling O'Brien Street, Bondi Beach, when they detected an allegedly unregistered Suzuki Swift sedan about 9.30pm. The vehicle was stopped and the driver, a 27-year-old woman, underwent a roadside breath test, which allegedly returned a positive result. She was arrested and taken to Waverley Police Station, where she underwent a breath analysis test that returned a reading of 0.108. The woman, who allegedly produced an expired P1 provisional licence, was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for drive with mid-range PCA, use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road, and licence expired less than 2 years before. She is due to appear at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday 18 January 2023.
- About 3.35pm, police received reports the driver and two other occupants of a Holden Cruze travelling north on the M1 at Mooney Mooney were allegedly driving dangerously and throwing beer bottles at other vehicles. On arrival, police located the vehicle parked in a shoulder at Ourimbah, where the driver, a 26-year-old man, had exited to urinate. Officers spoke with the man, who allegedly spat on a senior constable. The driver was arrested as was his two male passengers, aged 28 and 30, and all three were taken to Wyong Police Station. The driver was charged with drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty, refuse or fail to submit to breath test, refuse or fail to submit to breath analysis, refuse or fail to submit to oral fluid test, refuse to produce Australian drivers licence/state name/address, and assault police officer in execution of duty. He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Bail Court today (Saturday 24 December 2022). The 28-year-old passenger was charged with hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty, and assault police officer in execution of duty. The second male passenger, 30, was charged with hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty. Both are due to appear at Wyong Local Court on Wednesday 25 January 2023.
Anyone with information about unsafe or dangerous behaviour on NSW roads 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.
