A total of four people have been charged with drink-driving offences after 521 random breath tests and 71 random drug test were conducted during a three-day operation targeting drivers in the state's west.
Operation Fume ran from Friday (26 July 2024), to Sunday (28 July 2024), targeting drug and alcohol driving offences, and general road compliance across Orange and surrounding areas.
The high-visibility operation involved officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, supported by general duties officers from the local commands.
The operation utilised mobile and stationary random breath testing, random drug testing and proactive patrols of known 'hot spots' within the regions.
In total, four people were charged with drink-driving offences, while seven drivers returned positive drug tests. There were a further 27 speeding charges, two unrelated charges, 48 other traffic infringements, and seven defect notices issued.
The licences of all drivers returning a positive roadside drug test were suspended for 24 hours, with further action against those dependent on the outcomes once the secondary results are returned.
Incidents of note,
- About 8.30pm on Saturday (27 July 2024), officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol were conducting speed enforcement on the Mitchell Highway, Larras Lee, when they checked a white Mazda sedan travelling at 165km/h in a signposted limit of 100km/h.
Police stopped the driver – a 34-year-old woman from Dubbo – and she was given an infringement notice for class A motor vehicle exceed speed limit – over 45km/h.
- About 1.40pm on Sunday (28 July 2024), police were conducting stationary RBT on the Escort Way, Orange, when they stopped a white Holden Cruze, for the purpose of a random breath test. Police conducted a breath test, which allegedly returned a positive result.
The provisional driver – a 17-year-old woman – was arrested and taken to Orange Police Station, where she underwent a secondary breath analysis, which allegedly returned a positive reading of 0.123. The woman was charged with drive with middle range PCA and was given a future court attendance notice to appear at Orange Local Court on Thursday 5 September 2024. Her licence was suspended on the spot.
- Police stopped a white Nissan 4WD on Riddell Street, Molong, for the purpose of a random breath test, about 10.10pm on Saturday (27 July 2024). Police conducted a breath test, which allegedly returned a positive result.
The man was taken to a mobile random breath testing van where he underwent a secondary breath analysis, which allegedly returned a positive reading of 0.111. The man was charged with drive with middle range PCA and given a future court attendance notice. He will appear at Orange Local Court on Thursday 22 August 2024. His licence was suspended on the spot.
Similar operations are expected to continue in the future.
