Speeding will be the focus of one of the largest cross-border high visibility road safety operations in recent times, by NSW Police and Victoria Police this week.
Operation Furious, started yesterday (Monday 17 June 2024) and running until Thursday 20 June, and will be targeting speeding and dangerous driving on the Hume Highway from Haberfield, in the inner-city suburbs of Sydney, to Albury on the New South Wales/Victorian border.
In conjunction with NSW Police, Operation Hamilton will be conducted by Victoria Police from Wodonga on the New South Wales/Victorian border to Melbourne.
The high-visibility operation will involve NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers, with assistance from inspectors from the National Heavy vehicle Regulator to ensure heavy vehicle drivers are compliant with vehicle regulations.
More than 180 NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol officers will be deployed over the four days in marked and unmarked vehicles, conducting stationary and random speed enforcements.
Results for the first 24 hours of Operation Furious include, 104 drivers detected speeding, 349 random breath tests conducted, 79 random drug tests conducted, 1 positive breath test, 5 positive drug tests and 61 other traffic infringement notices issued.
Notable incidents include;
- About 7am yesterday (Monday 17 June 2024), officers attached to Highway Patrol Hume sector were conducting speed enforcement on the Hume Highway, Mittagong when they allegedly detected a Volkswagen sedan driven by a P-plater travelling north at 191km/hr in a 110km/hr. The 21-year-old driver was issued with a traffic infringement notice for P2 driver exceed speed limit – over 45km/hr. He was issued with a $2794 fine and his license suspended for 6 months.
- About 10.35pm yesterday (Monday 17 June 2024), officers attached to Campbelltown Highway Patrol were conducting speed enforcement on the Hume Motorway, Woodbine, when they allegedly detected a BMW sedan and a Mitsubishi sedan travelling at 212km/hr in a 110km/hr speed zone. Officers pulled over a 23-year-old male driver and 24-year-old male driver. Both drivers were issued with future court attendance notices for, organise/promote etc race between vehicles, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous and class A motor vehicle exceed speed over 45 km/h. The older male had his license suspended. The 23-year-old QLD license holder has his driving privileges suspended in NSW.
Traffic and Highway Patrol South West Commander, Superintendent Rob Toynton, said the Hume Highway is a busy stretch of road and the sight of too many serious crashes.
"We know more than 21 thousand motorists use this stretch of road every day. Since June 2023, there has been more than 350 major collisions on the Hume Highway resulting in 7 people losing their lives. We make no apologies for targeting drivers driving dangerously and putting themselves – and more importantly – other road users at risk," said Superintendent Toynton.
"This joint operation involving NSW Police and Victoria Police, means drivers who do the wrong thing have nowhere to hide. You can expect to see Police officers on the Hume Highway from Sydney to Melbourne, with our main focus on driving down the road toll and reducing the number of serious crashes, which we know have lifelong consequences for those involved."
South West Commander, Superintendent Rob Toynton said motorists need to heed the warnings from NSW Police but also take personal responsibility for their actions.
"We are reminding motorists to drive to the conditions, have a plan B if you're drinking, stick to the speed limit, wear a seatbelt and don't take unnecessary risks because everyone deserves to arrive at their destination safely," Superintendent Toynton said.
Further operations are planned, focusing on reducing serious crashes and fatalities on the Hume Highway.
