Police are bewildered after encountering a number of drivers engaging in risky and careless behaviour across the state's roads on the second day of Operation Tortoise.
The second day of the state's Easter long-weekend road safety operation has also marked a second death, following a crash in Sydney's north west yesterday.
About 1.40pm (Friday 19 April 2019), a Peugeot sedan and a Toyota Camry collided on Pennant Hills Road at Beecroft. A 92-year-old man – who was a rear passenger in the Peugeot – died at the scene.
As the operation continues, police across NSW will be targeting all speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences, which will attract double demerit points.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said he was shocked to hear of so many drivers being reckless with their safety.
"Yesterday, our officers encountered several cases of what can only be described as stupidity on the roads.
"On more than one occasion, police stopped drivers who had unrestrained passengers – some in the boot of their cars, and even one reportedly on the roof.
"Sadly, some drivers are ignoring common sense and 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.
Driver behaviour (Day Two)
- About 5:45pm yesterday (Friday 19th April 2019), police stopped a Mitsubishi 4WD on Turpentine Rd, Tomerong, allegedly travelling at 152km/h in an 80km/h zone. Whilst speaking to the driver – a 29-year-old female Cambodian national – a second woman was located sleeping in the boot. The driver was issued with penalty notices for exceed speed > 45km/h, and drive with passenger in boot, $325. Her New South Wales driving privileges were revoked for a period of 6 months.
- About 12.30am today (Saturday 20th April 2019), police stopped a Ford station wagon being driven by an 18-year-old male provisional (P1) driver on Edward Street, South Tamworth. The driver had seven passengers on board; five of whom were allegedly unrestrained, and two travelling in the rear cargo area. He was issued with infringement notices for drive with four or more unrestrained passengers, and not comply P1 passenger restriction after 11pm. His passengers were issued infringements for being unrestrained, and for being carried in area not for passengers.
- Just after 1am today, police were called to Kabel Avenue, Tamworth, following reports a Holden Commodore was driving with a person riding on the roof. Officers stopped the car and subjected the 37-year-old female driver to a roadside breath test, which proved positive. She was arrested and taken to Tamworth Police Station, where a breath analysis returned a reading of 0.081. She was issued a Court Attendance Notice for drive with mid-range PCA, to appear before Tamworth Local Court on Monday 29 April 2019. Her licence was also suspended.
Speeding/drink-driving
- About 3am yesterday, a 40-year-old male motorcyclist from Wentworth Point was travelling on the M1 at Cataract. It's alleged the man was detected travelling at 182km/h in a 100km/h zone. The man, who holds a provisional Queensland driver's licence, was riding a prohibited motorcycle.
- Just after 7am today, police detected a Toyota Aurion allegedly travelling at 124km/h in a 100km/h zone on Summerland Way, Whiporie. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, which was then clocked at 153km/h, before it increased its speed to approximately 200km/h. Due to safety concerns, police stopped following the car, however it was sighted by another Highway Patrol vehicle a short time later and pulled over. The driver – a 44-year-old Queensland man – was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for driving at a speed/manner dangerous, and exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h.
- About 1:40am today, officers from Botany Bay Highway Patrol subjected the 38-year-old driver of a BMW to a roadside breath-test on Regent Street, Redfern, which returned a positive result. A subsequent breath analysis returned a reading of 0.225. The driver – a Mongolian national – was issued with a field court attendance notice for high-range drink driving, to attend the Downing Centre Local Court on 20 May 2019. His licence was also suspended.
Key statistics (Cumulative total – started on 18 April 2019):
Total infringements issued (not speeding): 4460
Speed infringements: 2651
Breath tests: 126510
Drink-driving charges: 74
Lives lost: 2
