More than 708 drivers have been detected allegedly driving with drugs in their systems during a statewide police traffic operation last week.
Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) started at 12.01am on Thursday (7 May 2026) and concluded at 4am Sunday (10 May 2026), focusing on roadside testing to identify people who may be driving while affected by alcohol and drugs.
During the operation, police conducted 8,460 drug tests with 708 people returning positive samples and conducted more than 161,397 breath tests with 211 drink driving offences detected.
While the operation focused on detecting drivers operating a vehicle impaired by alcohol, drugs or fatigue, the high-visibility operation saw police across the state issue more than 5,213 other traffic infringement notices, including 1,904 for speed-related offences, 363 for mobile phone use, and 109 restraint-related offences.
One person lost their life in Cabramatta.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said driving impaired was selfish, reckless and deadly.
"Driving impaired with drugs or alcohol in your system is a dangerous choice that can kill someone," Minister Catley said.
"Police cannot sit in the driver's seat with you. Every driver has a responsibility to make sure they are fit to get behind the wheel.
"Operation RAID may have concluded, but enforcement does not stop. If you are putting lives at risk on NSW roads, police will get you."
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver said police officers continued to detect and stop drivers who had consumed drugs and too much alcohol.
"The conclusion of Operation RAID does not mean our efforts stop here," Assistant Commissioner Driver said.
"Stopping drivers who have consumed drugs and alcohol will continue to be a priority for NSW Police, and drivers should expect ongoing enforcement every day of the year.
"Drivers who are affected by drugs, alcohol or fatigue have slower reactions and their judgment is clouded.
"When that impairment is combined with other factors such as speeding or distraction, there can be deadly consequences.
"Police continue to urge drivers not to put themselves, their loves ones or anyone else at risk, particularly as National Road Safety Week begins on Sunday (17 May 2026)."
Incidents of note:
About 2.10pm on Thursday 7 May 2025, officers attached to Darling Mills Highway Patrol stopped a 31-year-old male driver in a Mitsubishi Triton for a stationary random breath test on Parkes Street, Parramatta. The driver produced a digital licence that was allegedly suspended. He allegedly tested positive to cannabis in an oral fluid test. Further checks revealed the vehicle registration was expired and cancelled in June 2025. The driver was issued with three fines for unregistered vehicle, uninsured vehicle and not pay road tax. He was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for drive licence suspended and will appear at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday 2 July 2026. Police are awaiting the results of the oral fluid sample analysis.
About 2.25pm on Thursday 7 May 2026, officers attached to Hawkesbury Highway Patrol were patrolling in Windsor South when they stopped a male driver in a Hyundai Tucson on Argyle Street for random testing. A roadside oral fluid test allegedly returned a positive indication for cannabis. The driver was arrested for the purpose of a secondary oral fluid test, which also returned a positive result for cannabis. He was issued with a 24-hour notice of prohibition from driving. Police are awaiting the results of the oral fluid sample analysis.
Shortly before 6am on Friday 8 May 2026, officers attached to Wollongong Highway Patrol were performing speed enforcement duties on the Princes Highway, Bulli Pass, when they detected a male driver in a Ranger Rover allegedly travelling 81km/h in a sign posted 60km/h area. Police attempted to stop the driver, however, when he failed to do so, a pursuit was initiated. The driver travelled on Appin Road where he hit a tree. The man was arrested and taken to Campbelltown Police Station. Checks on the licence revealed he was allegedly suspended. He allegedly returned a positive result following an oral fluid test. The man was taken to hospital for a hand injury and provided a blood sample. The 38-year-old man was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed; exceed speed more than 45km/h – estimated, hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty and drive motor vehicle while licence suspended. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Tuesday 9 June 2026.
About 8.55am on Friday 8 May 2026, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District responded to reports of a crash in Nerong. Upon arrival, police located a vehicle that had crashed into bushland off the Pacific Highway. No injuries were reported. Following inquiries, the driver - a 25-year-old man from Sydney - was found to be an alleged disqualified driver with two outstanding warrants for alleged break and enter offences. The man underwent mandatory testing, which allegedly returned a positive result for methamphetamine. He was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with break and enter dwelling-house etc with intent (steal), drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, driver or rider state false name or home address, and negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm). He was refused bail to appear at Local Bail Division - Court 2 on Saturday 9 May 2026. He was refused bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 13 May 2026.
About 4.40pm on Friday 8 May 2026, officers attached to Riverina Police District were conducting roadside breath tests in Cootamundra, when they signalled for a Honda hatchback to stop. When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated. The Honda eventually came to a stop on the Olympic Highway, Bethungra, where the driver - a 24-year-old man from Wagga Wagga - was arrested. The man underwent mandatory testing, which allegedly returned a positive result for cannabis. He was taken to Cootamundra Police Station where he was charged with police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly, never licensed person drive vehicle on road, and contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (domestic). The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Cootamundra Local Court on Monday 18 May 2026.
About 3.50pm on Saturday 9 May 2026, officers attached to New England Police District were conducting roadside tests when they signalled for a Nissan ute to stop. The driver - a 30-year-old man - allegedly returned a positive result for cannabis. Following further inquiries, police allegedly located and seized nearly 60 grams of cannabis from the vehicle. The man was arrested and taken to Armidale Police Station and issued a 24-hour driving prohibition, and a Court Attendance Notice for possess prohibited drug to appear at a later date.
About 12:15am yesterday (Sunday 10 May 2026), police from North Shore Highway Patrol were conducting stationary speed enforcement along the M2 Motorway, Macquarie Park, when they detected a ute allegedly travelling 170km/h in a 100km/h zone. When the driver allegedly failed to stop, police initiated a pursuit along the M2 Motorway, Lane Cove Tunnel, the Gore Hill Freeway, Warringah Freeway, onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Cahill Expressway, Eastern Distributor, South Cross Drive and onto General Holmes Drive. The pursuit continued along the M5 Motorway and onto the M7 Motorway where spikes were successfully deployed. The vehicle eventually stopped on the Cowpasture Road off-ramp at Hoxton Park. A 46-year-old man was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station where he returned a positive drug test to methamphetamine. The man was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, and exceed speed greater than 45 km/h. Police are awaiting the results of the oral fluid sample analysis. He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 6 yesterday (Sunday 10 May 2026). The man was formally refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court on Thursday 13 May 2026.
REGIONAL STATISTICS
Northern Region
Speed infringements: 570
Other infringements: 1,383
Breath tests: 31,231
PCA charges: 70
Positive drug tests: 197
Restraint offences: 17
Mobile phone offences: 66
Southern Region
Speed infringements: 498
Other infringements: 801
Breath tests: 26,328
PCA charges: 43
Positive drug tests: 155
Restraint offences: 14
Mobile phone offences: 24
Western Region
Speed infringements: 266
Other infringements: 405
Breath tests: 9,419
PCA charges: 31
Positive drug tests: 102
Restraint offences: 5
Mobile phone offences: 4
