Senior police are disappointed after one man died and 50 people were charged with drink-driving on day two of the Easter long-weekend traffic operation, NSW Police say.
Officers are out in force during Operation Merret, running until 11.59pm on Monday 2 April 2018, targeting drivers for dangerous behaviours on the roads; including speeding, drink and drug-driving, mobile phone use and not wearing seatbelts.
About 7.15pm (Friday 30 March 2018), a man died and five others were injured after an eight-vehicle crash on Campbelltown Road near Rose Payten Drive at Woodbine.
An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, of the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, said drivers must remember double demerits will be in force throughout the operation.
"Police conducted 64,143 breath tests on day two, that’s 23,067 more than in 2017 during the operation. That’s an alarming number and should enforce the message that we take this very seriously, drink-driving is not a joke," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
"You should ask yourself before you get behind the wheel whether you are about to take an unnecessary risk and put other motorists in danger."
Some significant drink-driving incidents during day two include:
- About 2.50am (Saturday 31 March 2018), police stopped a 31-year-old man driving a ride-sharing vehicle with two passengers at an RBT site on Western Distributor at Pyrmont. The driver was arrested after returning a positive breath test. He was taken to Surry Hills Police Station where he allegedly returned a breath analysis reading of 0.078. The man was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice to attend Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 31 May 2018. The passengers were taken to their destination by police.
- About 2.55pm on Friday 30 March 2018, police observed a man riding a motorbike without number plates on the footpath of Ocean Street, Mollymook. Subsequently, he was stopped and arrested after returning a positive breath test. The 22-year-old man was taken to Ulladulla Police Station where he returned an alleged reading of 0.071. The man was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for the offences of unregistered and uninsured, low-range PCA, unlicenced – never held and ride on footpath.
- About 3.20am (Saturday 31 March 2018), a 24-year-old man was arrested at an RBT site on Jonson Street, Byron Bay, after returning a positive breath test. He was taken to Byron Bay Police Station and returned an alleged reading of 0.206. He was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice to appear at Byron Bay Local Court on Thursday 19 April 2018. His licence was suspended also.
Key statistics (Cumulative total – started on 29 March 2018):
Total infringements issued (not speeding): 5105
Speed infringements: 3287
Breath tests: 112,370
Drink-driving charges: 75
Lives lost: 1
