On the eve of Christmas, NSW Police are reminding motorists that your 'presence' is the best 'present' of all on Christmas Day, as Operation Safe Arrival continues over the holiday period.
Double demerit points are in force during Operation Safe Arrival, that runs from Friday 20 December 2019, until 11.59pm on New Year's Day (Wednesday 1 January 2020).
NSW Police officers will be on the lookout for poor driver behaviour, including drink-and-drug-driving, speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.
Motorists are urged to check for road closures prior to travelling at www.livetraffic.com. Always allow extra time to account for holiday traffic and remember to 'give way to safety', especially during the bushfire emergency.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said don't risk ruining your Christmas lunch – or someone else's – with bad driving decisions.
"We want everyone to safely reach their Christmas day destinations tomorrow, so take additional care with extra cars on the road and with any road closures in place due to bush fires.
"Double demerit points should be an extra deterrent for poor driving. Think before your next drink, ensure you get plenty of rest and do not put yourself in danger by attempting to get through road blocks in areas threatened by bush fires."
As Operation Safe Arrival continues, some examples of irresponsible driver behaviour detected during day four (Monday 23 December 2019) include;
A 29-year-old man was arrested after police allegedly observed him driving southbound in a northbound lane in Wagga Wagga. About 12.30am, a Honda Civic was stopped on Bourke Street and officers were told the man was looking down at his mobile phone for GPS guidance. After the 29-year-old driver allegedly refused a breath test, he was arrested and taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station, where he allegedly returned a breath analysis of 0.147. The Victorian man was issued a Court Attendance Notice for mid-range PCA and refuse breath test. He was also issued infringements for not keep left of median strip and use mobile phone when not permitted.
At 3.10pm, a 41-year-old man was submitted to a roadside breath test on New Canterbury Road in Lewisham that allegedly returned a reading of 0.174. He was arrested and taken to Newtown Police Station where he allegedly returned a breath analysis of 0.135. The man was charged with mid-range PCA and was issued a court attendance notice to appear in Newtown Local Court on Monday 20 January 2020. At the time, the man's two daughters, aged 6 and 8, were in the car.
Around 10.45pm, a 36-year-old man was stopped by officers attached to Barrier Police District for allegedly driving 50km over the speed limit on Crystal Street in Broken Hill. Police checks revealed his drivers' licence was disqualified until January 2020 and misleading plates were displayed on the vehicle. The 36-year-old was issued traffic infringements and a court attendance notice.
At 11pm on The Sturt Highway in Buronga, a 51-year-old woman was stopped when she allegedly turned off before a stationary RBT where she allegedly returned a breath analysis of 0.153. Police further allege they located 18 grams of cannabis within the vehicle. The woman was arrested and charged with high-range PCA, never held a drivers licence and possess prohibited drug.
About 11.15pm, officers from Coonabarabran Highway Patrol detected a B-double heavy vehicle travelling on the Black Stump Way in Leadville with an alleged unregistered Victorian trailer and multiple fatigue breaches in the driver's work diary. One breach was a seven-day breach with no 24-hour continuous rest from Monday 16 December to Monday 23 December 2019. The driver was charged by way of a future court attendance notice to appear at Dunedoo Local Court.
Key statistics (progressive total):
- Speed infringements: 3,906
- Breath tests: 158,347
- Major crashes: 297
- Fatalities: 5
