Police are alarmed at the actions of drivers across the state as they continue to put the lives of children and other road users lives at risk on Day 3 of Operation Safe Return, NSW Police say.
Operation Safe Return, the annual road policing campaign for Australia Day, began at 12.01am on Thursday 25 January 2018, and ends at 11.59pm tonight (Sunday 28 January 2018).
A man has been charged with several driving offences after he was allegedly caught speeding with his family in the car.
Officers attached to Hurstville Highway Patrol were conducting random breath tests on Sandringham Street, Sans Souci, about 2.30pm on Saturday 27 January 2018, when a Toyota Land Cruiser attempted to avoid the site.
Police will allege the car reversed at excessive speed toward Rocky Point Road, before turning onto Russell Avenue, where officers initiated a short pursuit after the car was detected driving 120km/h in a 50km zone and undertaking cars to avoid police.
The vehicle stopped on Russell Avenue and police spoke to the driver, a 44-year-old man, who was driving with his three children, aged six, nine and 18, and a woman.
He was arrested and taken to St George Police Station where he was charged with exceed speed greater than 45km/h, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, driver or rider state false name or home address and fail to notify authority of change of resident.
The man from Liverpool was refused bail and is due to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Sunday 28 January 2018).
Traffic & Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy is alarmed at how drivers would put their own families at such risk.
"It is never okay to endanger the lives of other road users and the community at risk when driving, but to put the lives of the people you love most at risk is simply unacceptable," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
This follows as a 40-year-old woman was arrested and charged on Sydney’s Northern Beaches after allegedly drink driving with two children in the car.
Just before 3pm on Saturday 27 January 2018, a Toyota Rav4, was stopped by officers attached to Northern Beaches Highway Patrol on Mona Vale Road, Terrey Hills, for a random breath test.
The woman, who was travelling with two children, aged nine and 11, returned a positive breath test. She was arrested and taken to Frenchs Forest Police Station, where further checks revealed she already had a suspended licence.
She was charged high-range drink driving and was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice to appear at Manly Local Court on Wednesday 28 February 2018.
"This type of behaviour is ludicrous, and will not be tolerated by police. No child’s life should be endangered by the decision of an adult," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
Other incidents on day 3 of Operation Safe Return included;
- Just before 2am on Sunday 28 January 2018, Tumut Highway Patrol were conducting stationary speed enforcements on the Hume Highway, and detected a Holden Commodore travelling at 144km/h in a 110km/h zone. When officers stopped the vehicle, they notice a seven-year-old child unrestrained in the car. The 36-year-old Victorian woman was issued a traffic infringement for speeding, child not restrained and a defect notice.
- A 19-year-old provisional P2 licence holder has had his licence suspended after he was allegedly detected travelling 101km/h in 60km zone along Windsor Road, Baulkham Hills, just before 5pm on Saturday 27 January 2018. Officers attached to The Hills Highway Patrol issued a traffic infringement notice for exceed speed more than 30km/h.
- Officers attached to Camden Highway Patrol were travelling along Narellan Road, Smeaton Grange, just before 2am today (Sunday 28 January 2018), when they detected a car travelling 91km/h in a 60km zone. As police attempted to stop the driver, it allegedly accelerated away. Officers followed the vehicle, which was detected at 140km/h before stopping along the Hume Highway. The male driver, a 24-year-old provisional licence holder, was issued two traffic infringements for exceed speed and not display P plates, as well as having his licence suspended.
- A 52-year-old man died in the state's south after his car left the roadway and hit a tree at Morangerall Road, Narraburra, yesterday afternoon (Saturday 27 January 2018). The car caught alight and the man died at the scene. He has not yet been formally identified.
Key statistics (Cumulative total – started on January 25, 2018):
Total infringements issued (not speeding): 5,986
Speed infringements: 3,661
Breath tests: 150,008
Drink-driving charges: 158
Lives lost: 2
