As the year draws to a close, police are reminding all road users to slow down and get to 2017 safely on Day 15 of Operation Safe Arrival, NSW Police say.
Yesterday, officers across the state issued 1009 speeding infringement notices, which highlights the fact that too many drivers are engaging in risky behaviour on our roads, even with double demerits in force.
With 16,332 speeding infringements issued (an increase of 2687 from the 13,645 issued in 2015), there has still been 1283 major crashes reported and 508 people injured over the operation period.
Thirteen people have died on NSW roads following the death of a pedestrian who was knocked down on Thursday 22 December 2016 at Kuring-Gai.
Some incidents of note include:
- About 1am today, a Mazda hatchback was allegedly detected driving at 123km/h in a 60km/h zone on the Great Western Highway at Blaxland. The driver, a 32-year-old female "P2" provisional licence holder was issued with an infringement notice for speeding over 45km/h and had her licence suspended.
- Just before 8.30pm yesterday, a 19-year-old man riding a Kawasaki 250cc motorcycle was allegedly detected in excess of 170km/h in a 80km/h zone on Plummers Lane at South West Rocks. The learner rider was stopped and issued with an over 45km/h speeding infringement notice and had his licence and motorcycle registration suspended. The man had only held his motorcycle learner’s licence for eight months.
- About 1.30am today, a 38-year-old man was allegedly detected driving in excess of 180km/h in a 110km/h zone on the Hume Highway at Tumblong. The man also had his wife and an unrestrained 14-year-old girl in the rear of his car at the time. The man was stopped and produced an international driver’s licence and was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for exceed speed limit by over 45km/h, drive in a manner and speed dangerous, and drive while unlicensed. He was also issued with two infringement notices for having an unrestrained passenger and use high beam on vehicle in front. He is due to appear before Gundagai Local Court on Friday 17 February 2017.
The operation commenced at 12.01am on Friday 16 December 2016 and concludes at 11.59pm on Monday 2 January 2016.
Double demerit points will be in place between Friday 23 December and Monday 2 December.
During the operation police want road users to think about the #Five2Arrive; five simple tips for road users in order to arrive home safely:
- Don’t speed.
- Don’t drink and drive
- Wear a seatbelt
- Put your phone away, and
- Take regular breaks
The road toll currently stands at 382.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy Acting Commander of State’s Traffic & Highway Patrol Command said, "With 2016 drawing to a close it would hearten me to see all road users across the state resolve to make 2017 a safer year for everyone on the roads.
"Irresponsible behaviour is taking too many lives. My officers will be out there to try and get all road users to see in 2017 safely," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
