Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers have saturated the state over the weekend as police focused on drivers driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs under Operation Raid.
Operation Raid 2024 commenced at 12.01am on Thursday (14 November 2024) and concluded at 11.59pm on Saturday (16 November 2024).
Police conducted more than 88,524 breath tests, with 192 drink driving offences and conducted 8806 drug tests with 460 drug driving offences detected.
The high-visibility operation saw highway patrol police across the state issue 6,633 Traffic Infringement Notices, including 1,613 for speed related offences 279 mobile phone usage, and 115 seatbelt/helmet related offences.
Police attended 349 major crashes with four people having died on NSW roads – three of those in regional areas.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said police are doing everything they can to enforce the law and make our roads safer.
"The results of Operation Raid make one thing clear - too many people are still making poor choices on our roads. These numbers send a clear message that if you break the law, police will find you, and you will be held accountable.
"Every time you get behind the wheel, you have a responsibility to yourself, your passengers and other road users. Don't drink or take drugs and drive, don't speed, wear a seatbelt and keep your phone out of reach.
"Police are out there doing their jobs, but every driver needs to play their part as well. As we head into one of the busiest times of the year, I'm asking all motorists to drive responsibly, stick to the conditions, and make it a priority to get you and your loved ones get home safely."
Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman APM, Commander of Traffic and Highway Patrol, said while she was incredibly proud of her officer's work, she remains concerned that NSW drivers are continuing to break the law and put other motorists at risk.
"Drivers still don't get it. Driving while under the influence is a choice and is putting other motorists at risk and actively making our roads unsafe.
"Its selfish and criminal, that is why we have had such a focus on breath and drug testing drivers during this operation. We want to prevent lives being lost and keep NSW roads safe," A/Assistant Commissioner Chapman said.
"My officers have done a fantastic job during this operation and will continue to target road safety and traffic enforcement as we come up to the holiday period. So, this is a warning to any motorist who is thinking of breaking the law, we are out on NSW roads, and we will hold you accountable.
Incidents of note include:
- · About 3.30pm Saturday (16 November 2024), police stopped a motorist on the Golden Highway, Dubbo, due to its manner of driving. A roadside drug test allegedly returned a positive reading for the 30-year-old driver. Following additional inquiries, a large quantity of methamphetamine with a street value of $30m was located in the vehicle. The man was arrested and taken to Dubbo Police Station. The man was charged with supply prohibited drug more than commercial quantity, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime less than $5,000 and refuse or fail to provide oral fluid sample. The man was refused bail and appeared before Dubbo Local Court on Sunday 17 November 2024.
- · About 1.05am on Sunday (17 November 2024), police stopped a Toyota Camry on the M4 Motorway, Greystanes, due to its manner of driving. During the stop police conducted a roadside drug test, where the 23-year-old disqualified driver allegedly returned a positive result for cocaine. Following a search of the vehicle, police learnt the driver had been stopped about an hour earlier at 12.23am and served a 24-hour driving prohibition for a positive drug test. He was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station where an outstanding warrant was executed and he was charged with possess prescribed restricted, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, and fail or refuse to comply with prohibition or requirement. He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court later that day.
- · About 11.10pm Friday (15 November 2024), police stopped a 5-seater vehicle for speeding along Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach. It was observed that the vehicle contained nine occupants. The driver was issued a $1728 infringement whilst each of the unrestrained passengers received a $410 infringement for passenger not restrained.
- · About 10am Saturday (16 November 2024), police stopped a Kia Sedan on Nelson Bay Road, Fern Bay, for a random breath test. During the stop the driver, a 26-year-old man allegedly produced an expired learner's licence and returned a breath analysis of 0.145. He was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with drive, licence suspended and drive while middle range PCA. The man was granted conditional bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 9 January 2025.
- · About 1am Sunday (17 November 2024), police stopped a vehicle at a service station carpark on Mount Street, South Gundagai, due to its manner of driving. The driver, a 43-year-old man, allegedly returned a positive breath test before he was arrested and taken to Gundagai Police Station. A breath analysis returned a reading of 0.181. He was charged with drive motor vehicle during disqualification period and drive with high range PCA. The man was refused bail to appear before Gundagai Local Court on Sunday 17 November 2024.
- · About 10.40pm on Thursday (14 November 2024), police observed a vehicle allegedly speeding at 94km/h in a signposted 50km/h on Astoria Street, Marsden Park. Police stopped the vehicle and conducted a random breath test that allegedly returned a positive result. The 37-year-old man was arrested and taken to Mt Druitt Police Station, where a breath analysis was conducted and returned an alleged reading of 0.149. He was charged with drive with middle range PCA and had his licence suspended. The man was granted bail to appear before Mt Druitt Local Court on Monday 20 January 2024.
- · About 7.30pm on Thursday (14 November 2024), police observed a vehicle allegedly speeding at 136km/h in a signposted 80km/h on the Bangor Bypass, Sydney. The vehicle was stopped, and the 18-year-old driver was issued an infringement notice for P2 driver exceed speed limit – over 45km/h and had his licence suspended.
- · About 10.30pm Saturday (16 November 2024), police stopped a 66-year-old man for a random breath test along Ryde Road, Hunters Hill. The driver was unable to produce his drivers licence. Inquiries established that the licence was on a cancelled status for 34 years. The man was charged with never licenced person drive vehicle on road. He was issued a future court attendance notice to appear before Burwood Local Court on Friday 17 January 2025.
- · About 3pm Saturday (16 November 2024), a motorcyclist was detected allegedly travelling double the speed limit along Watt Street, Raymond Terrace. Police directed the rider to stop, however when they allegedly failed to do so a pursuit was commenced. After colliding with a gutter, the rider fled the scene on foot but was arrested a short distance away. The 20-year-old man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station. The man was charged with drive unlicensed, class A motor vehicle exceed speed more than 45km/h and police pursuit not stop drive dangerously. The man was granted conditional bail to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 2 December 2024.
