NSW Police are reminding road users to slow down there is no race on Day One of Operation Tortoise, NSW Police say.
Operation Tortoise – the Easter Long-Weekend traffic operation – commenced at midnight on 12.01am Thursday 13 April 2017 and concludes at 11.59pm on Monday 17 April 2017. Double-demerits will be in force throughout the operation.
There will be more police on roads targeting drivers for dangerous behaviours that have lead to loss of life on our roads, including; speeding, drink and drug-driving, mobile phone use, and not wearing seatbelts.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy of the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, said there have been too many lives lost on our roads this year, and many tragedies could have been avoided.
"It is the 20th anniversary since double-demerits began and they have proven to be effective."
"Sadly drivers continue to ignore warnings, putting their own lives, their passenger’s lives and the lives of other road uses at great risk of death or injury," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
Some examples of inappropriate driver behaviour detected during Day One of Operation Safe Arrival include:
A 40-year-old woman was stopped by police about 11.45pm yesterday, on Perry Street Lilyfield. The driver was subjected to a roadside breath test and allegedly returned a positive reading. She was arrested and taken to Newtown Police Station where she underwent a breath analysis returning a reading of 0.172. She was subsequently charged with high range PCA. Her licence was also suspended. She will appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Friday 5 May 2017.
A 35-year-old man had his licence suspended after officers from Hawkesbury Highway Patrol allegedly detected him travelling at 128km/h in a sign posted 70km/h zone on the Scheyville Road, Scheyville.
The driver was issued with a traffic infringement notice for speed 45km/h over the limit.
About 2.10am yesterday, a 37-year-old Greystanes man was stopped by Holroyd Highway Patrol detected travelling at 116kmh in a 60kmh in a sign posted area along Reconciliation Drive, Pemulwuy. The P2 Provisional licence holder was issued with a traffic infringement notice for speed 45km/h over the limit. His licence was also suspended.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Brandy Hill Drive and Clarence Town Road, Clarence Town, about 6am yesterday, after reports two vehicles had collided.
The driver of a Holden Commodore sedan, a 27-year-old man and sole occupant, died at the scene.
The driver of the Toyota Land Cruiser Utility, a 30-year-old man, and a single occupant was uninjured. He was taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing. Officers from Port Stephens Local Area Command attended and established a crime scene. Crash Investigators will investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Police will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.
About 9.15pm yesterday, police attempted to stop a Hyundai Lantra travelling on Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour, for the purpose of a random breath test. When officers approached the vehicle, it’s alleged the car sped away. Police commenced a pursuit, and stopped the vehicle on Victoria Street, Coffs Harbour. A 29-year-old woman was arrested shortly after. She was taken to Coffs Harbour Station where she charged with the following offences: Fail to comply with request or signal to stop, negligent driving, drive with mid range PCA, licence expired less than two years before, use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle, and use uninsured motor vehicle. She was granted conditional bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Monday 8 May 2017.
Emergency services were called to Kywong Howlong Road, Brocklesby, 45km north-west of Albury, about 9.30pm yesterday, after reports a vehicle had left the roadway and hit a tree. The driver of a Toyota Landcruiser, a 38-year-old man and sole occupant, died at the scene.
Officers from Albury Local Area Command attended and established a crime scene. Crash Investigators will investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Police will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.
About 11.20pm yesterday, emergency services were called to Melbourne Road, St John’s Park, following reports a car (Mitsubishi Lancer) had collided into fence of a home in St John’s Park. Police from Fairfield Local Area Command attended and arrested a 23-year-old man at the scene. He was taken to Fairfield Police Station where he was issued a Field Court Attendance notice for drive with mid range PCA, negligent driving and defective tyre. He will appear in Fairfield Local Court on Monday 8 May 2017.
Shortly before 4pm yesterday a 26 -year-old P1 provisional driver from Campbelltown was stopped by officers from Wagga Wagga Highway Patrol detected travelling at 184kmh in a 110km/h zone along the Hume Highway, Tumblong. The P1 provisional driver has a speed restriction of 90km/h.
The driver was issued with a traffic infringement notice for exceed speed > 45km/h over the limit. He was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for drive whilst suspended and his number plates were removed from the vehicle. He will appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court on Wednesday 17 May 2017.
A 41-year-old man was stopped by police about 7.15am yesterday, on the Newell Highway Parkes. The driver was subjected to a roadside breath test and allegedly returned a positive reading. He was arrested and taken to Parkes Police Station where he underwent a breath analysis returning a reading of 0.135. He was subsequently charged with mid range PCA. His licence was also suspended. He will appear in Parkes Local Court on Monday 1 May 2017.
Key Statistics (Day One):
Speed infringements: 1492
Breath tests: 37,879
PCA charges: 10
Major crashes: 77
Fatalities: 2
