Stupid and dangerous decisions by drivers who are already disqualified from driving, or who drive at reckless speeds or drunk behind the wheel, continue to put innocent people in danger, as Operation Safe Arrival continues, NSW Police say.
About 7.30am yesterday (Wednesday 27 December 2017), a 37-year-old man who was already disqualified from driving until February next year, was caught doing 99km/h - nearly double the speed limit in a 50km/h zone – on Belmore Road at Riverwood.
He was arrested and charged with driving whilst disqualified and speeding by more than 45km/h. He is refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court yesterday.
Throughout Operation Safe Arrival, police will continue to target drivers, who is are at a high-risk of causing more carnage during a period that has seen too may die on NSW roads.
The state’s Traffic & Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said high-risk drivers are not welcome on our roads.
"Drivers who drive at double the speed limit, drive whilst disqualified, or drunk at the wheel are among those who are simply not welcome on our roads.
"Sadly, too many innocent people have died because of the irresponsible and reckless actions of others, and it has to stop.
"The community has had enough and so have we.
"Throughout this operation and into the new year, we will continue to target these high-risk drivers, to get them off our roads for good," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
Some examples of inappropriate driver behaviour detected during Day 13 (Wednesday 27 December 2017) of Operation Safe Arrival include,
-About 4pm, a 35-year-old disqualified driver was arrested after he was caught driving on Kosciosko Road, Berridale. Investigations revealed he was disqualified until 2035, and he had also been charged three days earlier, with driving whilst disqualified. He was again charged with driving whilst disqualified and refused bail to appear at Queanbeyan Local Court yesterday.
-About 4.10pm, a 21-year-old motorcyclist was detected driving at an alleged speed of 150km/h in an 80km/h zone on Captains Flat Road, Carwoola. He was issued a $2384 in fines, had his licence suspended, and motorcycle confiscated on the spot.
-About 11.10am, a 22-year-old Italian national was stopped after he was detected speeding at an alleged 157km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Sturt Highway, at Bottle End. He has his licence suspended and was issued a fine for driving at more than 45km/h.
Key statistics:
Speed infringements: 14,660
Other infringements: 20,181
Breath tests: 473,306
Drink-driving charges: 777
Major crashes: 1123
Lives lost: 21
