Thirty motorists have been charged and infringed with drink driving offences during a large-scale traffic operation in Goulburn and Southern Highlands areas at the weekend.
Operation Chrome was conducted by officers from The Hume Police District with assistance from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command between Friday (30 April 2021) and yesterday (Sunday 2 May 2021).
During the operation, 14 people were charged and 16 infringement notices issued for PCA offences. Other serious traffic offences were also detected.
Items of note include:
- About 11.30pm on Friday (30 April 2021), a Holden Commodore station wagon was detected allegedly travelling at 118km/h in a 60km/h zone on Kingsdale Road, Kingsdale. The Holden failed to stop and allegedly performed a U-turn to avoid police. A pursuit was initiated travelling to Grafton Street, Goulburn, where the Holden stopped and the driver, a 39-year-old man, was arrested. A 14-year-old passenger was located in the vehicle. Inquiries revealed the man was disqualified from driving until 2026. He was arrested and taken to Goulburn Police Station where he was charged with exceed speed by 45kp/h, police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed and drive motor vehicle during disqualification. The Goulburn man is next due to appear at Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday 5 May 2021.
- About 12.25am on Saturday (1 May 2021), officers attempted to stop a Mazda 3 travelling on Bendooley Street, Bowral. The Mazda allegedly drove away before hitting a gutter at the intersection of Wingecarribee Street. The driver ran away and was arrested after a short foot pursuit. The 19-year-old man was subjected to a roadside breath test, returning a positive result. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, two passengers were located in the boot. The driver was taken to Southern Highlands Police Station where he underwent a breath analysis returning an alleged reading of 0.195. He was charged with drive with high range PCA and drive motor vehicle with person in or on boot of vehicle. The Moss Vale man was granted bail to appear at Moss Vale Local Court on Tuesday 18 May 2021. His P2 provisional licence was also suspended.
The Hume Police District Commander, Superintendent Paul Condon said the number of motorists being detected driving under the influence of alcohol is disappointing.
"Drivers have been made aware that if you plan on getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it's highly likely you'll encounter one of our officers," Supt Condon said.
"There are too many drivers placing themselves and others at risk with their selfish and dangerous driving behaviours. It was only due to the police being in the right place at the right time that a potential tragedy has been avoided."
Operation Chrome is an ongoing road safety initiative which will be run on a regular basis in The Hume Police District.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
