A man who allegedly exceeded the speed limit by 100km/h while disqualified from driving, has been charged overnight, on day five of the state-wide Christmas and New Year's road-safety operation.
About 11.25pm (Monday 28 December 2020), officers from the Bathurst Highway Patrol sighted an unregistered car travelling on Gilmour Street, Kelso.
The driver allegedly failed to stop when directed, with police initiating a pursuit. It is alleged the car reached a speed of about 150km/h in the 50km/h zone.
A short time later, the vehicle stopped in Marsden Lane, where the male driver was arrested. A female passenger was also in the car.
Subsequent checks found the man was prohibited from approaching or contacting the woman due to an apprehended violence order (AVO).
The 45-year-old man was subjected to a roadside drug test which returned a positive reading for methamphetamines.
The West Bathurst man was arrested and taken to Bathurst Police Station where he was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed, exceed speed >45km/h – estimated, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, and contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Bathurst Local Court on Monday 25 January 2021.
The state-wide road safety operation started at 12.01am last 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.
So far, nearly 4357 speeding fines and more than 3047 infringement notices have been issued for other driving offences.
Items of interest from day five (Monday 28 December 2020) includes;
About 1.50am officers attached to the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command (South West Metropolitan Region) were conducting speed-enforcement duties on the Hume Highway, Yagoona, when they saw two Suzuki Swifts allegedly taking part in a street race. Police estimated the vehicles to be travelling in excess of 120km/h in a 70km/h zone. A 35-year-old man was arrested and charged with take part in street race, and exceed speed over 45km/h. He was issued with a court attendance notice to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday 3 February 2021. Inquiries continue to locate the driver of the second vehicle.
Just before 7am, officers attached with Northern Beaches Highway Patrol detected an Audi sedan travelling at 136km/h in an 80km/h zone on the Warringah Freeway at North Sydney. A 29-year-old man was issued with a Traffic Infringement Notice for exceed speed limit - over 45km/h. His licence was also suspended for six months.
About 10.15am, a motor scooter rider was stopped for making an illegal turn on Waverley Street, Bondi Junction. Subsequent checks by officers attached with Eastern Beaches Highway Patrol found the 30-year-old delivery driver had his licence suspended in November and had accrued 50 demerit points. He was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice to attend Waverley Local Court on Tuesday 2 February 2021.
Shortly before 6.50pm, a vehicle was pulled over on Boomerang Drive, Lavington. Officers attached to the Murray River-Albury Highway Patrol conducted a roadside drug test on the driver, who then allegedly ran from police. The man was located in a nearby house, where he allegedly resisted arrest. During a search of the property, officers found methylamphetamine and cannabis. The man returned a positive result to methylamphetamine. The 30-year-old was taken to Albury Police Station, where it was found he is currently disqualified from driving until 2031. He was charged with drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, resist officer in execution of duty, and two counts possess prohibited drug. He was refused bail and will appear at Albury Local Court on Monday 11 January 2021.
Key statistics (progressive total):
Speed infringements:
Breath tests: 87,128
PCA charges: 220
Major crashes: 289
Fatalities: 3
