More than 17,000 random breath tests have been conducted by police in a two-day road safety operation across regional NSW.
Operation Chrome is targeted at reducing road trauma and keeping all road users safe.
The latest operation was conducted across arterial and local roads in the Northern, Western and Southern regions of the state, as part of a road safety blitz last Friday (29 October 2021) and Saturday (30 October 2021).
During the operation, officers from across all three regions conducted more than 17,000 random breath tests, with 24 allegedly returning readings for mid-range drink-driving and seven for high-range drink-driving.
Police detected 506 speeding offences, while 89 motorists allegedly returned positive indications following roadside drug tests; the results of which will undergo further analysis.
Southern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar APM, said the number of motorists who were detected speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol is disappointing.
"Road users are well aware that if you get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or drive above the speed limit – it's highly likely you'll encounter one of our officers," Assistant Commissioner Cassar said.
"It is disappointing to see that there are still so many drivers placing themselves and others at risk with their selfish and dangerous driving behaviours.
"With regional travel now open, it's a timely reminder that your destination will always be there; slow down to ensure you and your loved ones arrive safely," Assistant Commissioner Cassar said.
Incidents of note during the operation –
- Just after 7.30pm on Friday (29 October 2021), a Holden Commodore was allegedly detected travelling at 121km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Princes Highway at Jerrawangla. A pursuit was initiated when the driver allegedly failed to stop as directed. Road spikes were successfully deployed just north of Corks Lane at Milton, which brought the vehicle to a stop. The driver – a 54-year-old man – was arrested and found in possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia. The man was taken to Ulladulla Police Station and charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, exceed speed limit, possess prohibited drug, and not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 - COVID-19. The Campsie man was also found to be in breach of the Public Health Order by travelling to a regional area from Greater Sydney. He appeared at Wollongong Bail Court via AVL on Saturday (30 October 2021), where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at Batemans Bay Local Court yesterday (Monday 1 November 2021).
- About 6pm on Friday (29 October 2021), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were patrolling Raymond Terrace Road at Miller Forrest, when they stopped a Holden Commodore for the purpose of a random breath test. Checks revealed that the driver – a 28-year-old man – had a suspended P1 provisional driver's licence until January 2022. The Thornton man was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station, where he was charged with drive motor vehicle while licence suspended. He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 13 December 2021. A defect notice was also issued.
- About 3.15am on Saturday (30 October 2021), officers from Coffs-Clarence Police District attempted to stop the driver of a Holden Commodore with Queensland registration plates, travelling on Yamba Road at Yamba. The driver – a 29-year-old man – failed to stop as directed and continued at a low speed, before pulling up outside a unit on Osprey Drive. Checks revealed the man had been spoken to by police following a street fight in Yamba, about an hour earlier that night. Further checks revealed he was the current holder of a Learners licence. The man was arrested and taken to Yamba Police Station, where he was charged with refuse or fail to submit to breath test, refuse or fail to submit to breath analysis – second offence, learner not accompanied by driver/police officer/tester, and learner driver not display L plates as prescribed. He is due to appear at Maclean Local Court on Thursday 16 December 2021.
- About 5.30pm on Saturday (30 October 2021), officers attached to Lake Illawarra Highway Patrol stopped a motorcycle rider along the Prince Motorway, Yallah, allegedly travelling at 175km/h in an 80km/h zone. The 17-year-old boy had his Learner licence suspended for six months and was issued a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for drive manner/speed dangerous to the public, and exceed speed by more than 45km/h. He is due to appear in Kiama Local Court on Monday 7 February 2022.
- Just before midnight on Saturday (30 October 2021), a 19-year-old provisional driver was allegedly detected travelling at 171km/h in an 80km/h zone in a Ford Falcon sedan along the Princes Motorway, Yallah. He was issued a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for drive manner/speed dangerous to the public, exceed speed by more than 45km/h, and not display P-plates. He is due to appear in Kiama Local Court on Monday 7 February 2022.
- Just before 7pm on Saturday (30 October 2021), officers from Riverina Highway Patrol detected a Ford Ranger dual cab allegedly travelling at 167km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Sturt Highway at Borambola. The 19-year-old driver had also failed to display P-Plates, and his vehicle was deemed unsafe due to an unsecured load in the tray. He was issued Traffic Infringement Notices (TINs) for exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h, driving with an unsecured load, not displaying P-Plates, and using an unsafe motor vehicle on the road. His driver's licence was suspended for six months.
Similar operations are expected to be conducted in the future.
Southern Region
RBT: 6208
PCA total: 18
Speed offences:195
Northern Region
RBT: 7879
PCA total: 29
Speed offences: 233
Western Region
RBT: 3374
PCA total: 13
Speed offences: 78
