A man has been infringed after allegedly being detected travelling at high speed with an unrestrained passenger in the state’s south, NSW Police say.
About 7.30am on Tuesday 19 July 2016 Traffic & Highway Patrol Command officers were conducted speed enforcement operations on the Hume Highway near Rosedale Road at Mundarlo (South of Gundagai).
During this time there was thick fog and the road surface was wet after recent rain. Police then observed a Ford Futura to pass their location in lane 2 of the northbound lanes well in excess of the 110kph sign posted speed limit.
Police crossed to the northbound side and caught up to the motor vehicle. While travelling behind the vehicle police observed that it was still travelling in excess of the speed limit at 177kph. The vehicle was also still travelling in the right hand lane during this time. Police then stopped the vehicle just south of Gundagai.
As the vehicle was coming to a stop Police observed a rear passenger to appear on the off side of the vehicle and rapidly attempted to put on a seatbelt. Police spoke with the 22 year old male driver, a student from Victoria, who was the holder of a current International drivers licence.
The driver received infringement notices totalling $3000 for exceed speed over 45kph, drive in right lane on road with speed limit above 80kph and drive with 1 unrestrained passenger.
The driver’s right to drive in New South Wales was also suspended for a period of 6 months. The rear male passenger, a 23-year-old male from overseas, received a $325 infringement notice for failing to wear his seatbelt as required.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith of the state's Traffic & Highway Patrol Command said police had potentially saved two lives, and perhaps more, as a result of this intercept.
"At this alleged speed, on a road affected by fog and rain, anything could have gone wrong."
In the last financial year, police have issued infringements for;
- 223,261 for speeding, of which 2,889 were for speeds over 45kph over the signposted limit. These figures are an increase of 13,294 for all speeding events, and 215 for over 45kph speeds detected.
- 15,849 for unrestrained passengers, an increase of 329
- 6,925 for 'not keep left' offences
Acting Assistant Commissioner Smith, says that this was an obvious example of poor personal responsibility on our roads.
"It is those that are speeding dangerously in the right lane, with unrestrained passengers, that put themselves and the rest of us at great risk on our roads."
"Whilst the penalties for this driver and passenger are severe, at least they get to go back to their friends and families. Sadly for many this year, that hasn't been the case."
"With the road toll currently at 221, which is 43 more than this time last year, those using our roads clearly need to do more to ensure not only their own safety, but that of other road users," Acting Assistant Commissioner Smith said.
TOP TEN LOCATIONS FOR EXCEED SPEED OFFENCES
2016 : 223,261
Mascot: 2,950
Nabiac: 2,778
Goulburn: 2,586
Mittagong: 2,504
Frederickton: 2,360
Wilton: 2,034
Pyrmont: 1,697
Queanbeyan: 1,462
Coffs Harbour: 1,413
Lawson: 1,279
TOP TEN LOCATIONS FOR EXCEED SPEED > 45KM/H OFFENCES
2016: 2,889
Mascot: 121
Mittagong: 82
Goulburn: 60
Royal National Park: 40
Botany: 38
Eastern Creek: 35
Tumblong: 29
Prospect: 29
Alfords Point: 29
Leppington: 23
Cataract: 23
TOP TEN LOCATIONS FOR SEAT BELT / UNRESTRAINED OFFENCES
2016: 15,849
Sydney 316
Byron Bay 227
Dubbo 191
Griffith 171
Millers Point 168
Parramatta 164
Surry Hills 160
Bankstown 158
Moore Park 135
Granville 133
TOP TEN LOCATIONS FOR NOT KEEP LEFT OFFENCES
2016: 6,925
Waterloo: 169
Eastern Creek: 76
Holbrook: 69
Table Top: 66
Berowra: 60
Cowan: 59
Ingleburn: 57
Coffs Harbour: 56
Mosman: 53
Woomargama: 50
