Police are urging drivers to celebrate the festive season safely and to take care travelling on New South Wales roads as the Christmas and New Year traffic operation commences.
The state-wide road-safety operation started at midnight yesterday (Thursday 24 December 2020) and concludes at 11.59pm on Sunday 3 January 2021.
Double-demerit points are in force throughout the period for speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.
NSW Police officers will also be targeting other high-risk driver behaviour, including the Four Ds; drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Karen Webb, said sadly the holiday operation has started with one life already lost on our roads.
"We hope to see drivers taking care while visiting loved ones during the festive season, as police continue to patrol all roads throughout the operation," Assistant Commissioner Webb said.
Items of interest from day one includes;
Just before 9am yesterday (Thursday 24 December 2020), officers from Sutherland Traffic and Highway Patrol stopped a Bentley on the Bangor Bypass, Barden Ridge, after it was allegedly detected travelling at 159 km/h in a signposted 80 km/h zone. The driver, a 43-year-old Menai man, was issued an infringement for exceed speed more than 45km/h and his licence was suspended.
Just before 10am, officers from New England Traffic and Highway Patrol detected a Toyota Aurion allegedly exceeding the speed limit on the Newell Highway, Gurley. The vehicle was stopped, and the driver a 37-year-old man was arrested for an outstanding warrant. He drove away from police and a pursuit was initiated and the Toyota was again stopped further down the highway, north of Moree, after road spikes were successfully deployed. The man was taken to Moree Police Station where he was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, P1 driver exceed speed, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous and resist officer in execution of duty. The warrant was executed, and he was refused bail to appear before Tamworth Bail Court today. The man's provisional licence was also suspended.
About 3.30pm, police were called to Burley Griffin Way, Stockinbingal, near Cootamundra, after a Mitsubishi van lost control and left the roadway, crashing on its side. The driver, a 25-year-old man from Cabramatta, was subjected to a roadside breath test returning a positive result. He was taken to Cootamundra Police Station where a breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.175. He was issued a court attendance notice for high range PCA and is due to appear at Cootamundra Local Court on Monday 1 February 2021. His licence was also suspended.
Just after 4pm, police attempted to stop a Harley Davidson motorcycle on Lake Heights Road, in the Wollongong suburb of Lake Heights, for excess speed. The rider failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated travelling through local streets before the motorcycle crashed on Karrabah Crescent and the rider ran off. The rider, a 30-year-old man, was arrested shortly after and charged with police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly -Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, use unregistered motor vehicle on road, and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen. He is due to appear at Wollongong Local Court today.
Just before 5.30pm, officers from Leichhardt Traffic and Highway Patrol were performing speed enforcement duties on Fitzroy Street, Marrickville when they detected a vehicle travelling at 188km/h in a signposted 50 km/h zone. The driver, a 27-year-old man, produced an international licence. He was issued an infringement for exceed speed more than 45km/h and his authority to drive in NSW was suspended for six months.
About 6.20pm, police stopped a Toyota Hilux utility on Irrigation Way, Yanco, near Griffith, and the driver, a 28-year-old man, was subjected to a random breath test, returning a positive result. Checks revealed his licence was endorsed suspended and the vehicle's registration was cancelled and during a subsequent search cannabis was located in the man's possession. He was arrested and a breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.030. He was charged with Special category driver drive with special range PCA, Drive motor vehicle while licence suspended, Cause or permit use of unregistered vehicle on road, and possess prohibited drug. He is due to appear in Leeton Local Court on Tuesday 9 March 2021.
Key statistics (progressive total):
Speed infringements: 833
Breath tests: 20,329
PCA charges: 23
Major crashes: 57
Fatalities: 1
