With a majority of students returning to schools across NSW tomorrow, police are hoping for an incident-free 24 hours with Operation Go Slow winding up, NSW Police say.
Operation Go Slow began at 12.01am on Friday 21 April 2017 and ends at 11.59pm tonight today. Double demerits will be enforced throughout the period for speeding, mobile phones, seatbelt, and motorcycle-helmet offences.
While there’s only hours to go, officers will be maintaining a highly-visible presence on NSW roads during the operation, targeting speeding, mobile phone use, alcohol and drug-affected drivers, fatigue, and seatbelt use.
School zones came back into effect on Monday yesterday, with the majority of NSW schools returning to full operation tomorrow.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, said while Operation Go Slow had – so far – been fatality-free, his team was even more motivated to keep the roads safe.
"It is great news that NSW is fatality-free so far, but it is still disappointing at how many people get behind the wheel while disqualified then speed and commit other traffic offences," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
"We want drivers to remember that they are still subject to double-demerits till midnight tonight, then the school zones are operating tomorrow as usual."
Some examples of driver behaviour detected during Day Four of Operation Go Slow include;
BOTANY BAY:
About 8.20am, a 35-year-old man was pulled over in Pagewood for a random breath test. Police observed that the front and rear registration plates were different and checks of the VIN number confirmed the car was stolen. Further enquiries revealed the driver was disqualified and a search of the vehicle located an ICE pipe and a 40cm hunting knife. He was charged with drive while disqualified, drive conveyance without consent of owner, having goods in custody x 2 (number plates), and vehicle displaying unauthorised number plate. The driver was released on strict conditional bail to appear at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday 17 May 2017.
MOORE PARK:
About 10.35am, a 25-year-old man on a Provisional Licence (P2) was stopped for a random breath test on Dacey Avenue, Moore Park. Police searched the vehicle and allegedly located cannabis. The driver underwent oral-fluid testing that returned a positive result for cannabis. The man was charged with drive vehicle, illicit drug present in blood etc (2nd offence), and possess prohibited drug. He is to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 6 July 2017.
ST ANDREWS:
About 7.40am, a 45-year-old man was pulled over for a random breath test in St Andrews. Checks revealed he was disqualified from driving until 2040. He is due to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Tuesday 16 May 2017.
WOLLONGONG:
About 11.25am, an 18-year-old woman was stopped for a random breath test. Investigations revealed she was a disqualified Learner driver. She was charged with driving while disqualified, state false name, and for three outstanding warrants. She was refused bail to appear at a children’s court on Tuesday 25 April 2017.
CARLINGFORD
About 12.06am, a 22-year-old man was detected driving an Audi A5 sedan driving at 116 km/h in a 60km zone on Marsden Road, Carlingford. He was issued a penalty notice for exceed speed over 45km/h, his licence was suspended and his vehicle plates confiscated.
Key statistics (progressive total):
Speed infringements: 4929
Breath tests: 157,957
PCA charges: 235
Major crashes: 297
Fatalities: 0.
