Almost 80 people found out the hard way that drink drivers in Northern NSW had nowhere to run with the launch of "Operation Nabbed – Northern" this weekend.
During the two-night operation, police placed 17 random breath testing sites at exits along the southbound lanes of the M1 (Pacific Motorway) between Tweed Heads and Ballina.
Richmond Police District Superintendent Toby Lindsay welcomed the debut of the high-profile operation in Northern NSW.
"Together with the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, our local police will continue to target impaired drivers and remove risk from our roads," Superintendent Lindsay said.
"Police, emergency services and the wider community want to reduce road trauma. This operation is one very visible way we can show motorists that driving whilst impaired will not be tolerated."
Far North Region Traffic Tactician Inspector Peter McMenamin said while a lot of this operation was about enforcement, it was also about educating those drivers who were still embracing the myth that one more for the road would be okay.
"If you are going have a few drinks before dinner, strongly consider having a sober driver around for the rest of the night," Inspector McMenamin said.
"While we have 78 people going before the courts in the coming weeks, we also spoke to a considerable number of drivers who were perilously close to being over the limit themselves.
"So if you are thinking about that one more for the road, may we suggest no more for the road."
Of note during the two-day operation was the arrest of a 37-year-old man from Arundel in Queensland about 9.30pm yesterday (Saturday 2 March 2019). He returned a positive breath test after his car was stopped on the M1 at Tweed Heads, near the Gold Coast Highway exit. A subsequent breath analysis returned a reading of 0.362. His driving privileges in NSW were suspended. He was issued with a Court Attendance Notice to appear in Tweed Heads Local Court on 25 March 2019.
Key statistics for Operation Nabbed North (March 1-2, 2019)
Breath tests performed - 8091
Drink Driving Charges laid – 78
Traffic Infringement Notices Issued - 338
