Police are urging motorists to take extra care on our roads after two lives were lost during Day One of Operation Stay Alert.
Operation Stay Alert commenced at 12.01am on Friday 7 June 2019 and concludes at 11.59pm on Monday 10 June 2019. Double demerits are in force throughout the period.
Officers will be a highly-visible presence on the roads during the operation, targeting speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelt and motorcycle/helmet offences, alcohol, drug-affected drivers, and fatigue.
A 91-year-old man died after he was involved in a multi-vehicle crash north of Crookwell yesterday afternoon (Friday 7 June 2019).
A 34-year-old male motorcycle rider died after he was involved in a crash involving a truck in Riverstone yesterday afternoon.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command said he was saddened to see two lives have been lost on the state's roads.
"That's two men who did not go home to their families last night," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
"Motorists and motorcyclists need to remain alert, slow down, and always drive to the weather conditions. Not just during this operation, but every time they drive or ride.
"Fatalities affect a whole community. It never gets any easier telling someone that their loved one won't be returning home," he said.
Some examples of inappropriate driver behaviour detected during Day One of Operation Stay Alert include;
LAKE MUNMORAH
About 10.30pm on Friday 7 June 2019, a 35-year-old man from Chain Valley Bay was travelling in a Holden Commodore sedan west on Chain Valley Bay Road and decided to stop in a parking bay whilst using a dating app on his mobile phone. He has then taken his foot off the brake, causing the car to roll backwards into a ditch. Police were notified and attended shortly after. The driver was subjected to a random breath test and returned a positive result. He was arrested and taken to Toukley Police Station where he was subjected to a breath analysis which returned a positive reading of 0.188. He was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for high range PCA and disqualified driver. He is due to appear at Wyong Local Court on Monday 1 July 2019.
UNANDERRA
About 8.25pm on Friday 7 June 2019, a 27-year-old woman from Unanderra was stopped for a stationary RBT on Five Islands Road, Unanderra. She returned a positive result and was subjected to a breath analysis which returned a positive reading of 0.254. A Future Court Attendance Notice is to be served for high range PCA. Her licence was confiscated and immediately suspended.
MALABAR
Shortly before 1pm on Friday 7 June 2019, officers attempted to stop a Toyota Hilux on Anzac Parade, Malabar. The driver, a 27-year-old Earlwood man, allegedly failed to stop and a police pursuit was initiated. The driver was stationary in traffic and arrested. After conducting a search of the vehicle, police allegedly located and seized 42 bags of what is believed to be cannabis, and two knives were seized. The man was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, and custody of knife in public place (x2), He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 8 June 2019).
WAGGA WAGGA
About 3pm on Friday 7 June 2019, police stopped a Holden SS Commodore utility travelling north of the Sturt Highway, Borambola. The driver, a 46-year-old Central Coast man, and his male passenger, a 45-year-old Central Coast man, were spoken to by police. Police conducted a search of the vehicle and allegedly located and seized 34 packages of what is believed to be more than 19kg of cannabis. Both men were arrested and taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station. The driver was charged with supply cannabis, supply prohibited drug, and resist/hinder police officer in the execution of duty (x2). The second man was charged with supply cannabis and supply prohibited drug.
Both men were granted conditional bail to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court on Wednesday 19 June 2019.
TURRAMURRA
About 1.20am on Saturday 8 June 2019, an 18-year-old male P2 driver from Killara, travelling in a Volkswagen Golf was detected travelling at 110km/h in a sign posted 60km/h zone. His licence was immediately suspended. He was issued with a traffic infringement notice for motor vehicle exceed speed more than 45km/h.
MONA VALE
About 4.25am on Saturday 8 June 2019, a 21-year-old woman from Mona Vale was stopped for a random breath test on Park Street, Mona Vale. She returned a positive result and was subjected to a breath analysis which returned a positive reading of 0.197. Her licence was confiscated and immediately suspended. She was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice to appear at Manly Local Court on Wednesday 10 July 2019.
Key statistics (total):
Speed infringements: 1,112
Breath tests: 49,891
PCA charges: 25
Major crashes: 69
Fatalities: 2
