While the number of crash deaths and injuries this long weekend are down, police say the number of drivers caught speeding is a concern, NSW Police say.
Operation Slowdown – a high-visibility state-wide traffic operation – commenced at 12.01am on Thursday 29 September 2016 and will run until 11.59pm on Monday 3 October 2016.
There have been no fatalities recorded so far during the four-day operation, compared with three during the same period last year (2015).
Officers have breath-tested 51,085 drivers so far during the operation resulting in 43 charges.
Police have however, issued 3176 traffic infringement notices for speeding, an increase of 428 issued compared with the same period in 2015.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner David Driver, praised the majority of drivers, but is concerned the message to slow down on our roads is not getting through.
"With large numbers of people – including families – enjoying school holidays out over the weekend, the actions of most drivers should be commended" Acting Assistant Commissioner Driver said.
"This is reflected in the number of major crashes and people injured so far with 65 crashes and 24 injuries reported, compared with 111 crashes and 40 injuries in 2015.
"While it is pleasing to see fewer injury crashes and no fatalities; the number of speeding drivers putting themselves and other road users at risk is of great concern.
"Even with double-demerits in place, the increase in speeding detections in light of the increased road toll is a concern for us; so please slow down" Acting Assistant Commissioner Driver said.
Some incidents of interest for Day 2 of Operation Slowdown include:
About 12.30am yesterday, police from Tweed Heads Traffic & Highway Patrol Command were conducting stationary speed enforcement duties on the Pacific Highway at Ewingsdale, west of Byron Bay. Officers allegedly detected a Toyota Hilux utility travelling south at 170kmh in a 100km/h zone. The driver was stopped and submitted to a roadside breath test where he provided a positive result. He was arrested and taken to Byron Bay Police Station where he allegedly provided a blood alcohol sample of 0.097. The 24-year-old man from Queensland was charged with mid-range drink-driving, drive at a speed dangerous, exceed speed over 45km/h and drive while suspended. Police have been told the man was allegedly stopped earlier that night by Queensland Police and charged with drink-driving; his licence suspended in Queensland before being caught by NSW Police.
About 7am yesterday, police from Albury Traffic & Highway Patrol Command allegedly detected a driver travelling at 105km/h in a 50km/h zone in a semi-residential area. The Victorian driver was issued with a traffic infringement notice for exceed speed over 45km/h (radar) and had his NSW driving privileges suspended for six months.
About 7.05am yesterday, police from Grafton Traffic & Highway Patrol Command were patrolling the Pacific Highway at Glenugie when they allegedly detected a sedan travelling at 170km/h in a 100km/h zone. The driver, a Korean national, was issued with a traffic infringement notice for exceed speed over 45km/h and had his driving licence provisions suspended in NSW.
About 9.49am yesterday, police from Surry Hills Traffic & Highway Patrol Command allegedly detected a vehicle travelling at 103km/h in a 60km/h zone on the Western Distributor. A pursuit was initiated when the vehicle failed to stop, but was terminated due to safety considerations. The vehicle and two men were located and arrested in Barangaroo. The driver, a 19-year-old man from South Granville was charged with exceed speed over 30km/h, dangerous driving, police pursuit – not stop (‘Skye’s law’), and drive while disqualified.
