The Traffic and Highway Patrol Command is reminding the community that double demerits are still in place until 11.59pm on Monday 13 April, after a number of drivers have been caught over the Easter long weekend speeding and committing other driving offences.
About 1.15am today (Sunday 12 April 2020) police from Batemans Bay Highway Patrol detected a vehicle allegedly travelling in excess speed along George Bass Drive, Broulee. Officers caught up to the vehicle 11.5km away. The 34-year-old man returned a positive breath analysis and had his seven-year-old daughter unrestrained in the rear of the vehicle. He was arrested and taken to Batemans Bay Police Station.
The man has been charged with six offences: exceed speed over 45km/h, drive in a speed dangerous to public, drive with one unrestrained seven years or older less than 16, drive with mid-range PCA, resist officer in execution of duty and breach of bail. He was refused bail.to appear before Wollongong Local Court today. Officers prepared a report to Department of Family and Community Services for the protection of the child.
About 4.15pm yesterday (Saturday 11 April 2020), Raymond Terrace Highway Patrol officers stopped a vehicle and breath-tested the driver, which returned a positive result. The vehicle has been detected travelling 163km/h in a signposted 80km/h zone on Nelson Bay Road, Bobs Farm.
The 51-year-old man was arrested and taken to Nelson Bay Police Station where he underwent a breath analysis. The man had his licence immediately suspended and was charged with driving at a speed dangerous to the public, exceed speed by more than 45km/h, and drive with a mid-range PCA. He will appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court on 6 July 2020.
In separate incident yesterday about 11pm, police from Bankstown Highway Patrol detected a 17-year-old P1 Provisional licence driver, allegedly speeding on the Hume Highway, Villawood.
Officer have attempted to stop the vehicle after the driver was caught allegedly driving 107km/h in a signposted 70km/h zone. The young person failed to stop, and a police pursuit was initiated, the pursuit was terminated after the driver allegedly increased his speed to 155km/h. Officer searched the surrounding area and located the vehicle and driver, he was arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station.
The teen was charged with police pursuit – nonstop, drive in a manner dangerous, not comply with P1 licence conditions and not display P plates, he will appear at Bankstown local Court on Thursday 25 June 2020.
About 5.30pm yesterday, police from Leichhardt Highway Patrol detected a motorcycle driver allegedly driving at 147km/h in a 60km/h signposted area on Victoria Road, Rozelle. The driver was issued an infringement for travelling over 45km/h, a fine costing $2482 and a loss of 12 demerit points. His licence was suspended for six months.
Police have been disappointed in the number of P plate licence holders who continue to speed and drive dangerously on the road.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said, "to see so many young P-plate drivers continue to ignore the speed limit and put their own lives and that of others at risk is extremely disappointing."
Double demerit points commenced at 12.01am on Thursday (9 April 2020) and will be in force until 11.59pm on Monday (13 April 2020)
